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Doiii yon  think  Ihifftv  them  litth-Abs.'' 
I  rhvt  I  should  hi-nt  ^r.  Imohl  out.      >•• 


■lOSEFH    A.  r.  FRAY 


AN 

ASTONISHIJVG  AFFAIR ! 

THE 

REV.  SAMUEL  ARNOLD 

CAST  AND  TRIED  FOR  HIS  CRUELTY,  THOUGH 
HIS    CAUSE    WAS    ADVOCATED    IN    A    MAS- 
TERLY   MANNER,    BY    THE    RIGHT  HON. 

JOSEPH  ALMON  CLARK  PRAY, 

THE  MOST  ABLE  AND  ACCOMPLISHED  ATTOR- 
NEY, WHO  "  WAS  DEAD  AND    IS    ALIVE 


AGAIN,  WAS  LOST  AND  IS  FOUND 


n 


nR- 


BY  PHILANDROS 


Why  sir,  till  vou  can  fix  the  degree  of  obstiaacjr,  you  cannot 
fix  the  degree  of  severity.  Seventy  must  be  continued  until  ob- 
stinacy be  subdued. — Dr.  Johnson. 

Chasten  (hy  son  while  there  is  hope,  and  let  not  thy  soul  »paif 
for  his  crying.— 5o?omori. 


CONCORD  : 

PRINTED  BY  LUTHER  R01l¥v 

1830. 


■9^ 


URL        ^'  - 

TO  THE  READER. 

Here  we  see  a  minister  of  pretended 
orthodoxy  ministered  unto  with  a  wit- 
ness. We  see  a  man  who  has  pretend- 
ed so  mucli  tenderness,  guilty  of  what !! 
Unutterable  !  untold  !  The  man  who 
has  said  so  much  about  children,  and 
never  had  any  of  his  own. — The  man 
who  has  written  so  much  in  their  fa- 
vor, "  whipping  one  to  death," — in- 
dicted by  the  Grand  Jury,  and  now  un- 
dertaking to  justify  himself  !  iDflliort, 
here  we  see  so  many  opposite,  remark- 
able, strange,  curious  and  unaccount- 
able things,  that  no  one  can  help  read* 
ing  it,  who  knows  hovt  to  read^ 


AN 


ASTONISHIJSrG  AFFAIR  ? 


Behold  a  new  thing  under  the  sun 
* — one,  peculiar  and  alone — without  a 
precedent,  and  without  a  parallel. 

0  man  !  thou  hast  given  rise  to  an 
influence,  which,  like  the  pestilence  of 
death,  has  gone  abroad  upon  the  four 
winds,  in  every  point  of  compass ; 
hurried  by  every  concurrent  breeze  ; 
enraged  by  feeble  opposition  ;  carry- 
ing away  the  barriers  of  truth,  and  the 
foundations'of  duty  ;  rapid  as  the  light- 
ning ;  dr&dful  as  the  mighty  union 
of  84vcn  thunderi  ;  violent  and  ovor 
1* 


b  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

whelming  as  the  tornado  ;  producing 
heart-rending  pains,  and  convulsive  ag- 
onies ;  the  sinking,  and  the  cold  chills, 
and  the  sweat  of  death,  and  the  strug- 
gles of  departing  breath,  till  joy  and 
gladness  have  ceased,  thanksgiving 
and  the  voice  of  melody. 

But  here  the  reader  and  hearer, 
starting  and  shuddering,  ask,  what  has 
occasioned  such  a  scene  ?  The  answer 
in  short  is  this  : — While  Mr.  Arnold 
was  tending  his  domestic  fire,  as  he 
supposed,  in  the  way  of  duty,  others 
embraced  the  opportunity  to  take  of 
it,  and  light  up  a  volcano  ;  and  also, 
by  a  skilful  use  of  his  lightningrod, 
to  dr^Rsr  down  the  tempest  about  his 
head,  and  the  heads  of  others  ;  and 
then,  to  charge  the  whole  upon  him, 
crying,  in  the  suifocating  smoke,  and 
mighty  confusion  of  elements,  The 
Minister!  The  Minister!!  The  Minis- 
ter!!! 

No  doubt  the  minister  is  an  imper- 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  7 

feet,  fallible  man  ;  for  there  are  doubt- 
less better  men,  who  still  feel  that  they 
are  imperfect  and  fallible.  But  he 
pleads  not  guilty,  in  this  case,  of  hay- 
ing deviated  from  the  path  of  duty. 

The  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  noth- 
ing but  the  truth,  must  be  declared  ;  for 
Mr. Arnold  would  not  like  to  be  blown 
to  pieces  himself,  nor  have  the  church 
of  God,  or  even  his  enemies,  share 
this  unhappy  fate.  And  if  the  guilt 
is  charged  where  it  ought  not  to  be,  or 
the  amount  miscalculated,  I  most  sin- 
cerely wish  to  have  the  truth  go  round, 
and  round,  and  round,  upon  the  wings 
of  the  four  winds,  with  all  the  veloc- 
ity and  power  which  has  attended 
falsehood  ;  till  the  question —  What  is 
truth,  and  ichat  was  duty  9  in  this  affair, 
shall  receive  an  impartial  hearing,  and 
decision,  before  the  tribunal  of  the  hu- 
man understanding  and  conscience, 
upon  the  principles  of  reason  and  re- 
ligion. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 


Many  causes  have  concurred  in  pro-  • 


ducing  the  recent  astonishing  excite- 
ment.  The  correction  of  the  child, 
was  only  the  occasion  which  was  im- 
proved by  some,  for  putting  these 
causes   in  successful   operation. 

No  wonder  the  public  were  exci- 
ted, and  let  forth  their  indignatio% 
against  the  minister,  when  they  heard 
the  following 

REPORTS. 

He  whipped  the  child  so  bad  that 
it  took  three  hours  to  dress  his  wounds. 

His  shoes  w^ere  filled  with  blood, 
and  run  over  in  a  puddle  on  the  floor. 

He  was  beaten  till  you  could  see 
his  bones. 

It  took  two  or  three  physicians 
two  hours  and  a  half,  to  pick  ovi^  pie- 
ces of  the  shirt  which  were  beaten,  in- 
to his  back. 

He  was  expected  to  bleed  to  death. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  9 

He  had  fits,  and  was  not  expected 
to  have  his  senses  again.  % 

The  child  is  dead.  There  are  no 
words  about  it.  I  was  at  the  funeral — 
I  heard  the  sermon — 1  saw  the  corpse, 
and   I  saw  the  child  laid  in  the  grave. 

As  to  the  truth  of  these  reports,  the 
last  is  as  true  as  any  of  them  ;  and  it  is 
also  as  true  as  a  multitude  of  others, 
which  have  been  put  in  circulation. 

Indeed,  such  was  the  aspect  which 
this  affair  assumed,  immediately  on  its 
leaving  the  doors  of  the  minister,  (and 
that  from  some  other  cause  than  its 
own  native  features)  that  almost  eve- 
ry one,  at  first,  was  prepared  to  look 
upon  it  through  a  magnifying  glass,  in 
which  every  passion  and  prejudice 
contributed  all  their  false  colors,  to 
deceive  the  sight,  and  pervert  the 
judgment. 

Those  who  looked  upon  the  case 
through  this  glass,  and  would  not  stop 
to  consider  the  circumstances,  felt  the 


iO  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR, 

check  of  nothing  to  prevent  them  from 
receiving  i\te  most  mifavorable  im- 
pressions, and  spreading  them  abroad 
in  every  direction,  increasing  in  their 
own  peculiar  compound  ratio.  It  was 
not  the  correction  itself,  but  the  false  re- 
ports respecting  it,  which  produced 
such  dreadful  commotion  in  the  pub- 
\ic  mind,  ^he  correction  was  eager- 
ly laid  hold  of,  and  improved,  or  rath- 
er perverted,  as  an  occasion  for  man- 
ufacturing falsehoods,  with  newly  im- 
proved machinery,  and  giving  them 
forth  at  wholesale,  and  retail,  quick 
and  cheap,  in  proportion  to  the  de- 
mand. 

But  while  I  say  that  the  public  com- 
motion was  not  produced  by  the  cor- 
rection itself,  but  by  false  reports  res- 
pecting it,  I  do  not  ask  any  one  to  re- 
ceive this  statement  merely  on  the  au- 
thority of  one  individual.  I  will  im- 
mediately introduce  the  petition  to  the 
Court,  from  Mr.  Arnold't  Church  and 


A?f  ASTONISHlWa  AFPAIK  1! 

society jin  which  twenty  five  male  mem- 
bers who  lived  nearest  to  him,  and 
the  mother  of  the  child,  say  :  "  We 
believe  that  Mr.  Arnold  acted  consci- 
entiously in  inflicting  said  punish- 
ment ;  and  that  he  did  it  out  of  pure 
motives  for  the  good  of  the  child  ;  and 
if  he  has  erred,  it  is  an  error  only  in 
judgment,  and  not  in  design."  And 
they  also  say  :  "  We  confidently  be- 
lieve that  had  the  grand  jury  had 
knowledge  of  all  the  facts  and  circum- 
stances relative  to  said  case,  they  nev- 
er would  have  found  a  bill  against  Mr. 
Arnold."  In  this  petition  also,  fifteen 
who  called,  for  the  purpose  of  seeing 
the  child,  on  the  next  day  after  the 
correction,  say  :  "  We  found  him  so 
well,  sprightly,  and  active  about  house, 
that  had  we  not  heard  of  the  occur- 
rence, we  should  not  have  suspected 
any  indisposition  from  the  conduct  or 
actions  of  the  child."  The  mother 
also,  gives  in  a  distinct   and   separate 


12  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

testimony  in  defence  of  Mr.  Arnold, 
her  friend  and  benefactor.  The  peti- 
tion is  signed  by  all  the  members  of 
Mr.  Arnold's  Society  living  within  two 
miles,  except  one  who  afterwards  for- 
warded a  petition  in  his  own  name, 
and  one,  (a  decided  friend  of  Mr.  Ar- 
nold,) who  was  providentially  absent 
ffom  town.  After  the  petition,  five 
letters  are  introduced,  which  also  show 
how  the  relatives  of  the  child,  and  oth- 
ers, feel  respecting  Mr.  Arnold's  con- 
duct.    The  petition  is  as  follows  : — 

To  the  Honorable    Justices  of  the  Supe- 
rior Court  and  Attorney  General  of  the 
State  of  J^ew- Hampshire,     Greeting. 
Whereas,  information  has  been   re- 
ceived in   this  place,  that  a  bill  of  in- 
dictment has  been  found  by  the  grand 
jury  at   their   present   session,  against 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Arnold,  of  this  town, 
for  the  abuse  of  a  child  who  was   his 
adopted  son,  by  the  name  of  Joseph 
Almon  Clark  Pray,  son  pf  the  widow 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  IS 

Margaret  Pray  ;  and  whereas,  from 
the  reports  whch  have  been  in  circula- 
tion, we  fear  the  matter  has  been  great- 
ly exaggerated  ;  therefore,  we  the  sub- 
scribers, members  of  the  said  Mr.  Ar- 
nold's church  or  society,  and  living  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  Mr.  Arnold's 
residence,  and  having  had  the  privi- 
lege of  a  thorough  inquiry  into  the 
circumstances  relative  to  the  case,  we 
believe  that  Mr.  Arnold  acted  consci- 
entiously in  inflicting  said  punishment, 
and  that  he  did  it  out  of  pure  motives, 
for  the  good  of  the  chikl,  and  if  he  has 
erred,  it  is  an  error  only  in  judgment, 
and  not  in  design.  Therefore,  we,  the 
within  subscribers,  would  humbly  re- 
quest your  honors  to  take  this  mat- 
ter under  consideration,  and,  if  consis- 
tent, to  dispense  with  said  case  without 
a  trial  ;  as  we  believe  it  would  be  for 
the  peace  and  prosperit;^  of  this  socie- 
ty, and  the  peace  of  the  community  at 
large.  And  we  further  state,  that  we 
2 


14  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

confidently  believe,  that  had  the  grand 
jury  had  knowledge  of  all  the  facts 
and  circumstances  relative  to  said  case, 
they  never  would  have  found  a  bill  a- 
gainst  Mr.  Arnold.     [Signed  by] 

Margaret  Pray,  [the  mother  of  the 
child  ;]  Amos  Hodsdon,  [the  uncle  of 
the  child  ;]  Benjamin  Pray,  [I  was  at 
Mr.  Arnold's  the  first  after  the  correc- 
tion of  the  child.]  Ebenezer  Hodsdon, 
Thomas  Hodsdon,  Nathaniel  Am- 
brose, Nathaniel  Ambrose,  jr.  Thomas 
Peavey,  Jonathan  Ambrose,  William 
Nichols,  jr.  Charles  L.  Pray,  Benjamin 
Pray,  jr.  John  Moulton,  jr.  Edward 
Grant,  James  Nichols,  John  Desmaz- 
es,  Levi  Perkins,  James  G.  Leavitt, 
William  Moulton,  Joseph  Fernald,  Jo- 
seph Hobbs,  Henry  Smith,  Levi 
Smith,  Daniel  Smith,  John  Smith,  Jr. 
P.  S.  We,  the  subscribers,  believe  the 
matter  to  have  been  exaggerated,  and 
that  it  at  first  appeared  much  worse 
than  it  was  in  reality,  from  the  circum- 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  13 

stance  that  the  very  next  day  we  were 
at  Mr.  Arnold's,  (and  some  of  us  early 
in  the  day)  for  the  purpose  of  seeing 
the  child,  and  found  him  so  well, 
sprightly,  and  active  about  house,  that 
had  we  not  heard  of  the  occurrence, 
we  should  not  have  suspected  any  in- 
disposition from  the  conduct  or  actions 
of  the  child.         (Signed  by) 

Benja.  Pray,  [I  was  at  Mr.  Arnold's 
in  a  few  minutes  after  the  correction  of 
the  child.]  Ebenezer  Hodsdon,  Thom- 
as Hodsdon,  Nathaniel  Ambrose,  Jon- 
athan Ambrose,  William  Nichols,  jr. 
Charles  L.  Pray,  John  Moulton,  Na- 
thaniel Libbey,  John  Desmazes,  Wm. 
Moulton,  Daniel  Smith,  Henry  Smith, 
Levi  Smith,  John  Smith,  jr. 

The  subscriber  would  further  state, 
that  said  child  has  ever  stated  that  he 
knew  how  to  spell  and  pronounce  the 
word  for  which  he  was  corrected,  and 
that  the  reason  why  he  did  not,  was 
because  he  was,  or  felt,  contrary,  al- 


16  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

though  I  doubt  not  but  he  has  been 
questioned  an  hundred  times  by  vari- 
ous persons,  and  he  has  ever  vindicated 
Mr.  Arnold's  conduct  in  punishing  him 
as  he  did.  And  upon  questioning  him 
myself,  why  he  did  not  before  submit, 
he  answered  he  thought  he  should  beat 
Mr.  Arnold  out.  And  it  was  very  much 
against  my  v/ill,  tQ,have  any  complaint 
entered  about  it. 

MARGARET  PRAY, 
The  mother  of  the  child. 


Miestj 


Daniel  Smith, 
John  Smith,  jr. 


Ossipee,  January  25,  1830. 


A  Letter  to  the  Hon.  Mr.    Sullivan  of 
Exeter. 
Ossipee,  February  6,  1830. 
Dear  Sir, — 
Though  I  did  not  join  in  the  petition 
you  received  from  this  church  and  So- 
ciety inbehalf  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold, 
in  relation  to  my  grand-son  Joseph  A. 


» 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  17 

C.  Pray,  yet  I  do  hope  my  name  will 
not  have  the  less  weight  in  this  impor- 
tant case,  in  consequence  of  being  giv- 
en in  at  this  time,  ahd  alone.  I  would 
now  most  cordially  join  to  obtain  the 
the  object  of  said  petition.  And  now, 
dear  sir,  if  you  can  possibly  prevent 
this  prosecution  of  my  Rev.  Minister, 
from  proceeding  any  further,  or  pre- 
vent it  from  hanging  any  longer  in  fear- 
ful suspense,  I  do  most  earnestly  desire 
that  you  would  do  it  immediately. 
This  would  relieve  our  church  and 
society  from  great  and  painful  anxie- 
ties, and  my  minister  from  the  con- 
sumptive pressure  of  this  unhappy  af- 
fair. I  believe  that  said  Mr.  Arnold, 
in  the  severe  correction  of  the  child, 
had  his  best  good  in  view,  and  did  it 
with  the  purest  motives  ;  and,  after 
having  given  the  peculiar  circumstan- 
ces a  more  mature  consideration,  I  am 
not  prepared  even  to   say,  he  erred  in 

judgment.     So  far  from  having  indul- 

2* 


18  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

ged  angry  passions  in  the  correction  of 
the  child,  I  am  now  inclined  to  think 
that  the  child  took  advantage  of  his 
constant  mildness.  I  believe  the  said 
prosecution  to  be  a  most  malicious  one, 
and  the  indictment  to  be  an  unfounded 
libelj  on  the  character  of  my  min- 
ister, and  obtained  without  the  assist- 
ance or  countenance  df  any  of  the  rel- 
atives of  the  child  ;  and  such,  sir,  as 
cannot  possibly  be  regarded  but  with 
deoided  disapprobation  by  yourself  or 
the  supreme  court. 

We  really  wish  that  people  in  neigh- 
boring towns,  would  not  feel  so  much 
in  haste  in  prosecuting  our  minister  for 
any  real  or  supposed  injuries  done  to 
us,  as  to  leave  us  nothing  to  do  but  to 
contend  with  them  for  their  interfer- 
ence. We  cannot  thank  them  for  such 
kindness  and  sympathy. 

With  all  respect,  I  am  yours,  &c. 
ICHABOD  HODSDON, 
Grandfather  of  the  child. 


AN  ASTONlSHINa  AFFAIR.  19 

•5  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr,  Burnham,  Secre- 
tary of  the  JV.  H.  Missionary  Society. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

At  the  request  of  several  of  the  so- 
ciety, I  hereby  write  to  you  relative  to 
our  present  situation.  You  have  no 
doubt,  ere  this,  heard  of  the  unhappy 
occurrence  which  took  place  here 
about  the  middle  of  January  last;  and 
no  doubt  you  have  heard  the  matter 
greatly  exaggerated.  A  few  days  after 
the  occurrence  took  place,  Mr.  Arnold 
and  others  thought  best  to  call  a  meet- 
ing of  the  society,  and  ask  the  minis- 
ters and  others  to  attend  from  the 
neighboring  churches,  on  Friday,  the 
29th  day  of  January ;  and  it  was 
thought  best  to  send  for  you.  Accord- 
ingly brother  Ebenezer  Hodsdon,  was 
sent  to  solicit  your  attendance.  But 
the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  and 
the  difficulty  of  travelling,  prevented 
his  going  clear  on  to  Pembroke  ;  and 
»uch  was  the  state  of  the  travelling  and 


20  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  %,, 

the  severity  of  the  weather,  that  but 
two  ministers, Rev.  Mr.  Smith  of  Sand- 
wich, and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Adams  of  New- 
fiekl,  Me.  and  two  delegates,  attended. 
When  the  meeting  commenced,  it  was 
thought  advisable  to  hear  a  statement 
of  the  facts  in  the  case,  which  appear- 
ed about  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  Arnold,  soon  after  he  removed 
to  Ossipee,  took  a  child  of  the  Widow 
Margaret  Pray,  a  boy  of  between  four 
and  five  years  of  age,  wJio  was  given 
to  him  as  his  own,  and  whom  Mr.  Ar- 
nold adopted  as  his  son.  That  Mr.  Ar- 
nold took  unwearied  pains  to  improve 
and  cultivate  his  intellectual  and  mor- 
al powers.  The  child  is  one  of  uncom- 
mon promise,  and  seems  to  have  the 
maturity  of  one  much  older.  That 
he  was  generally  very  obedient  and 
pleasant  ;  but  occasionally,  he  is  very 
stubborn  and  obstinate,  and  would  not 
read,  when  desired,  those  words  with 
which  he  was  most  familiarly  acquaint- 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  21 

ed.  That  on  the  morning  of  the  16th 
day  of  January  last,  he  was  requested 
to  read  where  he  had  with  ease  some 
weeks  before,  but  would  not.  That 
Mr.  Arnold,  after  much  entreaty  and 
threatning,  could  not  prevail  with  him 
to  obey  him,  and  he  proceeded  to  whip 
him  until  he  did  ;  which  occasioned  a 
very  severe  whipping.  But  the  child, 
the  next  day,  was  about  house,  and  so 
well,  as  was  stated  by  many  of  the  so- 
ciety who  were  in,  that  had  they  not 
heard  of  the  occurrence,  they  should 
not  have  suspected  any  indisposition 
from  the  actions  and  conduct  of  the 
boy.  The  excitement  was  at  first  very 
great  ;  but,  hearing  the  facts,  a  large 
majority  of  the  society  present,  view- 
ing the  matter  (if  he  had  erred  at  all) 
to  be  only  an  error  in  judgment,  voted 
to  sustain  Mr.  Arnold  as  their  minis- 
ter. But  some  were  disaffected.  Our 
society  was  small  and  feeble  before, 
and  now  if  we  lose  but  a  few,  it  will 


22  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

still  enfeeble  us.  In  our  present  situa- 
tion, we  want  the  advice  of  all  our 
friends,  and  yours  in  particular,  as  we 
consider  you  in  a  special  manner  more 
competent  to  advise  ;  as  we  do  not 
wish  to  do  any  thing  to  disaffect  the 
Missionary  society,  or  hurt  the  cause. 
JOHN  SMITH, 
^jpr^,-.  /^  Clerk  of  the  meeting. 

To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Burnham,  Pembroke. 
Ossipee,  February  10,  1830. 


c5  Letter  from  Deacon  Hodsdon  and  son, 
to  the  Rev,  Mr,  Burnham,  Secretary  of 
the  JV.  H.  Missionary  Society. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

We  are  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind 
and  anxious  letter,  and  for  the  interest 
you  manifest  in  the  welfare  of  our 
church  and  Society.  You  desire  a 
statement  of  the  facts  respecting  our  re- 
cent difficulties,  but  this,  sir,  is  a  diffi- 
cult task,  because  the  facts  are  so  manv 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  23 

and  it  is, so  important  that  they  should 
all  go  in  connexion,  in  order  that  the 
whole  truth  may  be  known.  For  your 
information  on  this  subject,  therefore, 
we  do,  with  the  utmost  confidence,  re- 
fer you  to  our  reverend  minister.  The 
facts  are  familiar  to  him,  and  we  have 
no  fears  that  he  will  misrepresent  the 
case. — As  to  the  conduct  of  our  belov- 
ed pastor,  during  this  severe  trial,  it 
has  been  a  pattern,  of  meekness,  gentle- 
ness, faith,  patience,  and  christain  en- 
durance, well  worthy  of  our  imitation; 
and,  if  improved  as  we  could  wish,  will 
be  productive  of  the  happiest  results. 
As  to  our  feelings  towards  him  in  view 
of  his  conduct,  if  the  grand-father  of 
the  child  may  not  be  permitted  to  say 
much,  without  being  complained  of,  he 
can  say  that  many  others  say,  as  our 
minister  says  of  his  people,  that  they 
love  him  more,  feel  their  confidence 
in  him  increased,  and  their  attachment 
strengthened.     And  if,  before  our  diffi- 


24  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

culties,  there  is  no  room  for  the  in- 
crease of  these  good  feelings  on  our 
part,  we  have  certainly  none  the  less, 
and  don't  wish  to  have.  But  we  do 
believe  that  it  will  be  more  useless  than 
ever,  for  any  to  exert  themselves  to  set 
us  and  our  minister  at  variance.  We 
hope  to  watch  the  more  against  this 
for  ikeyuturCy  and  it  is  really  hard  for 
any  to  deny  us  the  common  privilege 
of  repentance  for  the  past. 

As  to  the  place  and  manner  of  the 
correction,  about  which  so  much  noise 
has  been  made,  it  was  very  natural  to 
take  the  child  aside  a  little  from  the 
family,  and  the  cellar  was  light  and 
perhaps  as  comfortable,  as  any  other 
apartment  in  the  house,  where  fire  was 
not  kept.  We  have  seen  pieces  of  the 
sticks,  and  we  are  now  satisfied  it 
would  have  been  of  little  use  to  whip 
the  child  with  such  rods,  through  the 
clothes.  Mr.  Arnold  states,  the  horse- 
whip was  never  before  called  into  the 


ATT  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  26 

service,  and  Avould  not  have  been  at 
the  time  it  was,  had  not  the  boy  man- 
ifested an  expectation  to  gain  his  point 
because  the  sticks  were  small,  and  brit- 
tle, and  broke  up  so  fast.  But  we  do 
hope  the  child  is  now  subdued,  and 
will  ever  conduct  so  as  to  gain  the  ap- 
probation of  his  adopted  father  and 
mother,  his  friends,  and  all  wh'q^ol  he 
may  form  an  acquaintance  with.  And 
we  are  thankful  to  God,  and  grateful 
to  Mr.  Arnold,  for  his  kindness  and  un- 
common attention  to  the  fatherless  and 
the  widow.  We  understand  the  hap- 
py effects  of  the  correction  on  the 
child  are  abundantly  manifest.  We 
have  learned  that  Mr.  Arnold  has  not 
found  occasion  to  correct  him  since, 
except  with  a  word  and  a  look.  And 
the  mother  testifies,  that  there  has  been 
so  much  pains  taken  with  the  child  to 
improve  his  manners  and  behavior, 
that  there  is  as  great  a  difference  in  his 

appearance,    as   in  a  person   changed 
3 


26  AN  ASTONISHIiNG  AFFAIR 

from   nature  to  grace.     And  it  is  said 
that  he  is  as  much  more  cheerful,  hap- 
py and  interesting  than   before,    as  he 
is  more  obedient. — With  much  respect 
and  affection,  we  remain  yours,  &c. 
ICHABOD  HODSDON, 
Grandfather  of  said  child. 
AMOS  HODSDON, 
Uncle  of  said  child. 
To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Burnham,  Pembroke. 


A  Letter Jrom  Mrs.  Arnold  to  Mrs.  

'  Ossipee,  March  22,  1830. 

Dear  Mrs. 

Knowing  your  circumstances  were 
such  that  you  could  not  conveniently 
go  abroad,  I  called  on  you  the  other 
day  as  a  friend,  and  I  expected  you 
would  treat  me  in  a  different  manner 
from  what  you  did.  When  I  left,  in- 
deed, you  invited  me  to  call  again, 
and  desired  that  I  would  not  forget 
you.      You  may  be  assured,  my  dear 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR,  27 

friend,  that  I  shall  not  forget  you,  for 
I  cannot,  if  I  would.  I  think  frequent- 
ly on  what  you  said  to  me  with  respect 
to  Mr.  Arnold,  the  child,  and  the  cor- 
rection, and  it  distresses  me  exceeding- 
ly. I  cannot  see  any  reason  or  propri- 
ety in  your  remarks.  Let  me  mention 
one,  which  I  think  is  a  fair  specimen. — 
You  said  that  you  heard  the  poor  little 
creature  screech  and  scream  so,  for  two 
nights,  that  you  could  not  sleep.  All 
this,  while  our  dear  son  was  taking 
sweet  repose  in  sleep!  I  do  not  know 
that  he  lost  one  moment's  sleep,  by  the 
correction;  and  it  is  really  a  pity  that 
you  should.  But  is  not  your  imagina- 
tion running  away  with  you  ?  Do  you 
really  mean  that  there  ever  was  a  night 
since  Almon  lived  with  us,  when  you 
could  hear  him  screech  and  scream  ? 
If  you  mean  any  such  thing,  i  must  be 
permitted  to  say,  /  do  not  believe  it  ;  for 
/  never  did,  and  the  sound  must  have 
come  to  me,  before  it  reached  you.    But 


J8  AI?  A8T0NIIHING  AFFAIR. 

I  suppose  that  your  meaning  v/as  this: 
you  seemed  to  imagine  that  you  could  hear 
our  adopted  son  cry!  But  this  did  not 
make  it  so.  And  have  you  not  imagined 
other  things,  respecting  Ahnon,  which 
were  not  true  ?  I  must  think  you  have. 
How  much  more  likely  a  person  Avould 
be  to  imagine  many  other  things  than 
*  ^^the  one  just  mentioned.  And  you 
must  not  think  it  strange,  if  I  have 
more  confidence  in  what  I  saw,  and 
heard,  and  felt,  than  in  your  imagina- 
tions. /  know  all  the  circumstances  respec- 
ting the  correction  of  the  child,  and  I  am 
confident  that  it  was  Mr,  JlrnoWs  duty  to 
make  the  child  submit  and  obey.  He  tri- 
ed to  do  this  in  many  different  ways, 
and  for  a  long  time,  before  he  began  to 
use  the  rods.  But  he  could  not  subdue 
the  child  by  any  of  these  means.  He 
then  told  the  child  that  he  should  whip 
him  till  he  would  mind.  He  according- 
ly did  it.  And  I  confidently  believe  that 
Mr.  Arnold  did  his  duty  in  the  correc- 


AN  A5T0.MbHiNG  AFFAIR.  29 

tioii,  and  nothing  more.  I  have  no 
doubt  of  this,  and  I  never  have  had, 
whatever  has  been  reported  about  my 
disapproving  of  Mr.  Arnohi's  conduct 
in  punishing  the  child.  Three  of  us 
were  present,  during  the  whole  of  the 
affair,  and  we  know  the  circumstances; 
and  many  others  not  belonging  to  our 
family,  unite  with  us  in  believing,  that' 
Mr.  Arnold  did  nght  in  subduing  the 
child  as  he  did.  After  the  correction, 
the  child  immediately  ate  a  hearty  break- 
fast. He  ate  more  than  all  the  rest  of 
our  family  together.  There  is  therefore 
much  reason  and  propriety,  and  con- 
sistent sympathy,  and  christian  tender- 
ness, in  the  conduct  of  our  beloved 
church  and  society,  in  sympathising 
more  with  their  minister.,  who  has  been 
the  principal  sufferer,  than  with  his 
adopted  son  who  occasioned  all  the  suf- 
fering, by  his  own  stubbornness.  When 
we  ourselves,  and  so  many  others,  be- 
lieve that  a  most  self  denying  and  im- 
3^- 


so  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

portant  duty  was  discharged  by  Mr. 
Arnold,  in  the  correction,  and  when  the 
child  and  his  relatives  are  satisfied  and 
grateful  to  us  that  we  felt  such  anxiety 
for  his  good,  as  would  not  yield  till  he 
obeyed, — in  such  a  case,  I  say,  it  would 
be  proper  for  others  to  be  silent,  at  least. 
There  are  some  to  be  sure,  of  whom 
we  do  not  expect  silence.  We  do  not 
ask  it.  We  are  willing  that  people 
should  act  out  their  feelings  on  this 
subject.  We  have  the  comfort  of  know- 
ing that  whatever  we  may  suffer  in 
this  case,  it  is  for  conscience'^  sake.  It  is 
for  our  kindness  to  the  fatherless  and 
loidow^  that  we  suffer,  and  for  doing 
our  duty.  And  we  had  rather  have  the 
testimony  of  conscience,  the  support 
of  the  scriptures,  and  confidence  to- 
wards God,  than  every  thing  else. 

I  have  said  this  much,  my  dear  Mrs. 
—  not  because  /  have  been  accused  by 
you  or  any  other  person  ;  but  I  ha\e 
said  it,  to  bear  my  testimony  to  truth 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  31 

and  duty,  I  cannot  be  indifferent, 
when  I  see  my  husband  suffering  so 
much  wrongfully^  and  even  from  those 
of  whom  we  should  expect  better 
things. 

Do  not  take  offence  at  my  freedom, 
my  dear  friend,  for  we  have  not  a  hard 
feeling  towards  you;  but  I  have^ writ- 
ten this  letter  fi-om  a  sense  of  duty, 
wishing  to  treat  you  with  all  the  plain- 
ness and  christian  candor,  that  I  could 
wish  you  to  exercise  towards  me,  if  I 
were  placed  in  your  situation. 

Receive  this,  from  your  most  affec- 
tionate friend, 

Elizabeth  T.  Arnold. 

P.  S.  We  have  not  had  to  punish  Al- 
mon  for  any  thing  since  the  correction 
mentioned  above,  for  he  has  been  as 
obedient  and  happy  as  any  child  I 
ever  saw. 


32  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

A  Letter  from  Miss  Pamelia  P.  Smithy 
to  her  sister. 
Ossipee,  March  25,  1830. 
Dear  Sister, 

Knowing  the  intense  interest  you 
feel  in  my  welfare,  1  not  only  consider 
it  duty,  but  a  privilege,  to  make  you 
acquainted  Avith  my  situation  and  pros- 
pects. You  have  probably  looked, 
with  much  anxiety, for  my  return  home, 
in  consequence  of  the  evil  reports 
which  have  been  rumored  abroad 
respecting  the  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold,  my 
instructor,  in  whose  family  I  reside. 
And  to  relieve  your  feelings,  I  will 
give  you  a  brief  sketch  of  the  affair. 

On  the  morning  of  January  16th, 
Mr.  Arnold  was  instructing  his  adopt- 
ed son,  as  usual,  and  he  refusedto  pro- 
nounce a  very  easy  syllable,  composed 
of  two  letters  only,  and  manifested 
great  obstinacy  and  sullenness.  Mr. 
Arnold  adopted  various  methods  to 
gain  submission  and^obedicnce,  but  all 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  3S 

to  no  purpose.  It  was  so  plain  that 
his  disobedience  was  purely  wilful, 
that  it  left  no  room  for  a  doubt.  He 
could  read,  spell,  and  pronounce, 
words  of  four  syllables,  with  ease  and 
fluency,  weeks  before.  Moreover,  he 
told  Mr.  Arnold  repeatedly,  when  ques- 
tioning him  why  he  did  not  mind,  that 
it  was  because  he  felt  contrary  ;  that 
he  knew  how  to  pronounce  the  sylla- 
ble, but  did  not  mean  to  mind  ;  and 
once,  he  replied  that  he  was  determin- 
ed not  to  obey.  All  the  while,  he  ex- 
pressed such  stubbornness  and  angry 
passions  in  his  looks,  as  clearly  evinc- 
ed that  his  lips  were  uttering  the  feel- 
ings and  sentiments  of  his  heart.  Af- 
ter spending  half  an  houx,  in  command- 
ing, using  gentle  measures,  and  trying 
to  persuade,  and  finding  that  submis- 
sion was  not  to  be  obtained  by  such 
means,  Mr.  Arnold  told  him  that  he 
should  whip  him  till  he  obeyed.  And 
although  the  stubbornness  of  the  child 


S4  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

was  almost  incredible,  yet  such  was 
Mr.  Arnold's  anxiety  for  his  welfare 
and  best  good,  that  he  pursued  punish- 
ment until  its  object  was  obtained,  not- 
withstanding the  self-denial  which  he 
had  to  practice,  in  performing  a  duty 
so  exceedingly  painful  to  his  tender 
feelings.  There  is  unquestionable  ev- 
idence that  Mr.  Arnold  did  right  in 
the  correction  of  the  child.  The  child 
ate  a  hearty  breakfast  immediately  af- 
ter the  correction  and  did  not  lose  one 
meal  of  victuals. by  means  of  it. 

Thus  you  see  that  there  are  many 
who  feel  themselves  under  no  restraint, 
either  from  principle  or  honor,  to  wait 
*till  the  minister  deviates  in  the  least 
from  the  path  of  duty,  before  they 
^)Our  upon  him  their  calumnies  in  pro- 
fusion. 

The  complainant  and  witnesses,  to 
say  the  least,  were  in  this  case  busy 
bodies  in  other  men's  matters,   -iid  the 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  55 

relatives  of  the  cliild  have  never  ap- 
proved of  their  meddlesome  conduct. 

The  lawyers  who  reside  in  this 
town,  and  some  from  neighboring 
towns,  and  many  other  infliienLial  gen- 
tlemen, have  manifested  feelings  on 
this  occasion  which  will  not  only  en- 
sure them  the  esteem  of  Mr.  Arnold 
and  his  numerous  friends,  but  the  ap- 
plause of  a  candid  community,  as  far 
as  facts  are  known.  The  mother  of 
the  child  and  his  other  relatives,  the 
church  and  society,  and  many  others 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  affair, 
have  sympathised  with  Mr.  Arnold  in 
his  affliction,  and  have  done  all  in  their 
power  to  promote  his  happiness,  and 
his  conduct  since,  has  been  such  as  to 
excite  their  admiration  and  strengthen 
their  attachment. 

The  church  and  society  here,  though 
small,  are  unusually  interesting,  and 
our  situation   is  as  pleasant  as  at  any 


36  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

former  period  ;  so  that  the  probabili- 
ty is,  that  I  shall  not  return  at  present. 

With  much  love,  I  am  yours,  &c. 

Pamelia  p.  Smith. 

Mary  Ann  S.  Smith. 


A  SUPPOSITION. 
Let  us  suppose,  that  while  the  min- 
ister and  others  really  believe  he  did 
his  duty  in  the  correction  of  the  child, 
he  in  reality  did  wrong,  and  is  blame- 
abie.  Suppose  this,  I  say,  and  we  have 
a  theme  of  uncommon  interest,  and  0, 
the  height  to  which  it  rose,  and  the 
depth  to  which  it  sunk  ;  the  breadth 
to  w^hich  it  expanded,  and  the  iengtii 
to  which  it  went  ; — the  ease  with 
which  it  travelled  and  the  speed  with 
which  it  rode  ; — the  wings  on  which 
it  was  borne,  and  the  tongues  it  em- 
ployed ;  the  joy  of  some,  and  the  sor- 
row of  others  ;  -the  fear  and  the  in- 
dignation ; — the  supplication  of  friend- 
ship and  the  revenge  of  enmity.     All 


AN  ASTONISHING  AmiR.  37 

1 

this  because  some  believe  the  minister 
(lid  wrong  and  is  blameable.  Is  it  such 
an  uncommon  thing  for  people  to  do 
wrong,  or  do  some  cast  stones  in  this 
case,  who  are  not  without  sin  ?  Or  is 
it  so  uncommon  for  ministers  to  do 
wrong  ?  I  am  really  inclined  to  think 
it  is  not  so  common  rs  I  have  before  sup- 
posed ;  for  if  it  were,  it  would  not  be 
reojarded  as  such  a  wonderful  occur- 
reiice  when  it  is  thought  that  one  has 
stepped  aside  a  little  from  the  path  of 
duty.  But  verily  there  are  many  who 
believe,  that,  in  this  affair,  the  minis- 
ter has  not  stepped  aside  from  the  path 
of  duty.  And  he  testifies^  that  he  nev- 
er did  perform  an  act  more  self  deny- 
ing and  painful,  or  one  in  which  his 
convictions  of  duty  were  clearer  or 
stronger,  than  in  the  severe  correction 
of  his  adopted  son.  But  however  in- 
nocent he  may  be  in  his  own  opinion, 
or  that  of  others,  in  relation  to  this 
affair,  it  has  rendered  his  residence  a 
4 


$S  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

place  of  more  wide  spreading,  l«ng 
lasting,  and  deeper  interest,  than  lie 
could  ever  before  have  anticipated. 
Nor  would  we  abate,  but  increase  the 
interest,  and  speed  the  truth  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth. 

Indeed,  such  has  been  the  excitement 
concerning  him  and  his  conduct,  that 
over  the  very  spot  where  he  lives,  we 
would  have  the  poles  of  the  earth 
brought  together,  and  the  opposite 
sides  of  the  globe  folded  up  as  a  gar- 
ment, that  from  thence  they  might  re- 
ceive the  truth  ;  and  then,  with  all  the 
elastic  power  of  nature,  aided  by  that 
of  cohesion,  attraction,  and  repulsion, 
retire  again  to  their  own  place,  and 
retiring,  spread  the  true  intelligence  of 
the  whipping,  as  far  as  falsehood  is 
known,  or  man  exists.  It  may  well 
be  doubted,  yea  it  is  doubted,  whether 
the  state  of  New-Hampshire,  or  any 
other  state  in  the  union,  can  furnish 
»n   instance,  in   which   the  bosom  of 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  39 

friendship  has  been  convulsed,  and  the 
church  of  God  rent  with  more  vie-' 
ience  and  pain,  or  the  hosts  from  with- 
out rallied  with  more  dexterity,  tl^an 
in  the  case  which  has  been  described. 
It  was  like  the  bursting  of  the  cloud, 
charged  with  thunder  and  lightning, 
and  tempest,  or  like  the  frightful 
eruption  of  a  volcano,  fraught  with 
liquid  fire.  Let  no  one  think  that  I 
paint  this  scene  too  highly,  for  it  sets 
all  my  powers  at  defiance.  I  stood  in 
the  centre  of  the  area,  and  saw,  and 
felt,  the  convulsive  movements,  and 
heard  the  peals,  and  took  the  fires,  and 
received  the  shocks  from  every  quar- 
ter. Let  the  locks  scorched  with  light- 
nings, and  the  bosoms  rent  with  thun- 
ders, testify  if  I  misrepresent  or  too 
highly  color. — Let  them  tell  if  there 
is  any  danger  of  poetic  license  here. 
The  scene  has  left  its  register  in  the 
memory,  and  its  traces  in  tfee  heart, 
which  will  not  soon  be  obliterated. 


40  AK  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR- 

But  it  should  not  be  forgotten,  that 
there  is  no  action  of  any  man,  howev- 
er good,  nor  any  trait  of  christian 
character,  which  cannot  be  misrepre- 
sented, and  perverted  to  evil  purposes. 
And  some,  at  different  periods  of  the 
world,  have  shown  their  dexterity  and 
skill  in  this  ungenerous  enterprise. 
But,  in  so  doing,  they  have  merely 
produced  temporary  squalls,  which 
have  served  to  clear  away  much  stag- 
nant air  and  pestilential  vapor.  A 
more  salubrious  state  of  atmosphere 
has  followed,  in  which  one  could 
breathe  more  freely  and  safely,  and 
the  result  has  been,  a  more  perfect  and 
permanent  state  of  health. 

Mr.  Arnold,  it  appears,  was  called, 
under  very  peculiar  and  remarkable 
circumstances,  to  discharge  a  most  dis- 
agreeable and  important  duty,  in  the 
severe  correction  of  the  beloved  son 
of  his~adoption.  The  command  was 
plain,' and  very  easy  to  obey  ;  but  the 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  41 

child  refused  to  do  it  ;  not  because  lie 
could  not,  but  because  he  ivould  not. 
Mr.  Arnold  knew  that  it  was  wilful 
disobedience,  and  w'ithout  excuse  ; 
and  therefore  out  of  love  to  his  son, 
and  for  his  highest  good,  told  him  that 
he  must  obey,  or  that  he  should  punish 
him  until  he  did;  and  he  kept  his 
word.  He  obtained  submission  and 
obedience.  But  a  particular  account 
of  this  affair,  will  be  given  in  its  prop- 
er place. 

After  what  has  been  said,  by  the 
church  and  society,  by  the  mother, 
the  grandmther,and  other  relatives,  of 
the  child,  and  by  Mrs.  Arnold  and 
Miss  Smith,  Mr.  Arnold  may  surely  be 
permitted  to  speak  for  himself,  as  he 
is  called  upon  to  do,  in  a  manner,  and 
by  circumstances,  which  forbid  his  si- 
lence. In  discharging  this  duty  to 
himself,  to  the  church,  and  to  the  pub- 
Uc  at  large,  he  will  give  us  a  faithful 
and  pr  rticular  account  of  his 
4* 


43  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR, 

REASONS  FOR  TAKING  THE  CHILD, 

4&C.  &C. 

^     If  I  may  be  permitted  to  speak  for 
myself,  on  this  deeply  interesting  sub- 
ject,   I   will  say,   I   did   not  take  the 
child  because  of  the  overflowing  abun- 
dance of  my  table,  my   basket  or  my 
store.     It  was  not  because  of  any   ful- 
ness in  my  pecuniary  treasures,  which 
needed  a  drain  to   conduct  them   ofl'. 
It  was  not  because  1  had  either  time,  or 
attention,  or  patience,  or  wisdom,  or 
prudence,   to  spare.     It   was   not   be- 
cause I  had  a  heart  so  full  of  love   or 
hatred,  gratitude  or   revenge,   that  it 
labored   and  sought    for    objects   on 
which  to  vent  itself,  or   by  which   to 
let  forth  i-ts  overflowings.   1  would  not 
be  governed   by  such   feelings  that  I 
could  not    rationally    hope    for  the 
company  and  smiles  of  the   Savior.    I 
would  not  be  misled  or   unduly   con- 
troled  by  the  intellect   or  the  heart. 
But  I  trust  that  I  am  possessed  of  the 


AN  ASTOJN'lSlilNG  AFFAlFt.  43 

common  feelings  of  humanity,  and, 
like  others,  sensible  of  tender  emotions 
when  I  behold  the  sorrowful  or  the  un- 
fortunate. 

There  was  a  time,  when  my  atten- 
tion was  particularly  arrested  by  tlie 
condition  of  the  fatherless  and  the 
widow.  My  heart  was  moved  by  the 
widoAv's  dejected  countenance  and 
plaintive  story.  I  saw  her  tears,  and 
the  condition  of  her  son.  I  had  a 
heart  of  pity,  and  was  moved  to  re- 
lieve. It  was  evident  that  the  bowels 
of  the  tender  mother  ^earned  over  her 
.fatherless  son  i  and  that  her  hopes  and 
fears,  her  joys  and  sorrows,  her  com- 
forts and  cares,  gathered  around  him  ; 
and,  returning  to  her  bosom,  like  wave 
upon  wave,  urged  each  other  onward 
in  their  tumultuous  course. 

I  therefore  took  her  son  from  the 
maternal  embrace,  to  lighten  the  bur- 
dens, to  diminishthe  sorrows,  and  to 
increase  the  joys  of  widowhood ;  to 


44  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

lift  up  her  heart  and  to  animate  her 
hopes.  I  knew,  by  experience,  what 
it  was  to  be  a  fatherless  child,  when 
young  and  tender  ;  and  I  had  heard 
my  mother  speak  of  the  condition  of 
a  -^yidow. 

I  liave  seen  the  tears  trickle  down 
her  cheeks,  and  every  feature  give  ut- 
terance to  the  emotions  of  her  heart, 
when,  in  retired  absence  of  mind,  she 
gazed  with  anxiety  upon  me,  her  son. 
and  saw  me  exposed  to  all  the  storms 
of  life,  and  woes  of  death,  without  a 
father  or  paternal  friend,  to  lead  me 
forth  and  defend  me.  • 

But  her  corrections,  occasionally 
severe,  I  remember  with  no  less  gi'ati- 
tude  or  tenderness  than  the  rest.  And 
whatever  I  have  done  in  this  case,  for 
the  worthy  objects  of  special  attention, 
will  not,  I  trust, fail  to  bring  its  reward. 
Nay,  I  am  sure  of  it  ;  for  my  securi- 
ty is  good.  It  is  found  in  the  records 
of  the  Most   High.      ''He   that   hath 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  45 

pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth  unto  the 
Lord  ;  and  that  which  he  hath  given, 
will  he  pay  him  again."  (Prov.  19, 
17.)  "  He  doth  execute  the  judgment 
of  the  fatherless  and  widow. "(  Deut. 
10,  18.)  ''  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the 
waters  ;  for  thou  shalt  find  it  after 
many  days."  (Eccl.  11,  1.) 


FEELINGS  HE  AWAKENED. 

Feelings  of  tenderness  towards  my 
adopted  son,  I  have  ahvays  had,  though 
not  that  tenderness  v/hich  forbids  the 
exercise  of  salutary  dii^cipline  or  paren- 
tal authority — even  severe  it  may  be, 
when  circumstances  seem  to  demand 
severity. 

My  most  kindly  feelings  have  gath- 
ered around  him.  In  him  my  most  ex- 
alted hopes  of  usefulness  have  centred. 
As  my  imagination  has  winged  its 
way  into  futurity,  and  traced  his  prog- 
ress in  physical    improvement,   and  in 


46  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

mental  and  moral  culture,  I  have  nev- 
er thought  of  comparing  him  with 
myself.  I  have  sought,  prayed,  hoped, 
and  expected  for  him,  better  and  great- 
er things. 

1  seem  to  see  him  rising  in  the  hall  of 
legislation,  or  pouring  forth  his  elo- 
quence at  the  bar,  in  firm  and  melodi- 
ous tones — distinguished  as  a  scholar, 
statesman  and  moralist  ; — or  no  less 
distinguished  as  a  minister  of  Jesus, 
waving  the  gospel  banner,  and  rallying 
around  the  standard  of  the  cross  his 
felloAV  men,  by  giving  firm  and  decid- 
ed utterance  to  the  law,  and  a  certain 
sound  to  the  gospel  trumpet. 

I  desired  for  him  not  only  the  more 
important,  substantial  and  useful  qual- 
ifications of  this  life,  and  a  prepara- 
tion for  heaven,  but  the  less  important 
which  are  highly  ornamental  and  val- 
uable, I  did  not  forget. 

I  wished  him  fancy's  golden  wing. 
Imagination's  rapid  flight  ; 


And  taste,  to  paint  what'er  he  saw. 
In  beams  of  pure  etherial  light. 

I  desired  him  every  thing  interest- 
ing, useful,  and  subservient  of  his  hap- 
piness— every  thing  lovely,  praise- 
worthy and  of  good  report.  I  would 
have  "  every  motion  grace,  and  every 
accent,  persuasion."  If  I  had  loved 
him  less,  and  felt  less  anxious  for  his 
highest  good,  and  had  entertained  less 
exalted  hopes  of  the  eminence  to  which 
he  might  be  raised,  and  the  good  he 
might  be  instrumental  of  accomplish- 
ing, and  the  glory  that  would  redound 
to  God,  and  the  happiness  to  himself 
flowing  from  a  mind  accustomed  to 
obey  ;  I  should  have  been  less  anxious 
for  his  submission.  I  never  desired  of 
him  any  thing  like  that  cringing,  ab- 
ject servitude,  which  has  little  to  hope, 
and  almost  every  thing  to  fear.  I  nev- 
er wished  to  see  in  him  a  proneness  of 
countenance  which  could  not  look  me 
in  the  face.     But  I    wished  to  see   a 


48  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

countenance  open  and  familiar;  fraught 
with  expectation ;  beaming  witli  smiles, 
animated  by  hopes,  and  enlivened  with 
joy.  He  was  well  acquainted  with  my 
countenance.  He  read  it  scarcely  less 
than  he  did  his  book,  and  its  language 
to  him  was  intelligible.  He  could  al- 
ways look  me  in  the  face  ;  but  the  look 
was  at  times  less  cheerfid  and  confi- 
dent, more  restrained  by  conscience, 
less  encouraged  by  expectation,  more 
suspicious  and  fearful. 

I  did  not  wish  to  deaden  the  electric 
fire  of  his  eye  ;  but  have  it  attemper- 
ed with  mildness.  I  would  not  dimin- 
ish the  energy  of  his  system,  but  have 
it  rightly  directed.  His  "  dance  of 
spirits,  and  bound  of  vigor,"  often 
filled  me  v/ith  joy. 


HIS  USUAL  APPEARANCE. 

Did  not  his   eye  beam  with   intelli- 
gence ?     Did  he  not  give  utterance  its 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  49 

tone,  syllable  its  time,  and  accent  its 
place  ?  Was  he  not  forming,  with  in- 
creasing pleasure,  habits  of  reading  and 
study  ?  Did  not  his  cheek  wear  the 
rosy  beam  of  health  ?  Bid  ,not  the 
sparkling  eye,  the  animated  counte- 
nance, bespeak  joy  and  gladness  ?  Did 
not  his  energy  of  body  and  mind,  his 
ready  and  animated  movements,  show 
that  his  necessities  were  supplied  and 
his  hopes  encouraged  ? 

When  did  he  wish  to  leave  me,  and 
return  no  more  ?  When  was  he  slad 
of  my  departure  from  home,  or  sorry 
at  my  return  ?  Ah  !  I  see  his  eagerness 
atthe  window,  his  joy  at  the  door,  his 
hasty  steps  to  meet  me, and  his  kind  em- 
brace, exclaiming,  "Mr.  Arnold,  I  am 
glad  you  have  come." 

But   this  was   one  of  the  dreams  of 

human  happiness;  and  it  was  a  pleasant 

dream,    fraught  with  domestic  joys, 

though  not  destitute  of  domestic  trials. 

5 


50  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

ATTENTION  PAID  HIM; 

During  all  the  time  he  has  been  in 
my  family,  particular  and  great  atten- 
tion has  been  paid  to  his  reading  and 
spelling,  pit)nmiciation  and  accentua- 
tion. 

When  he  first  began  to  read  in  words 
of  one  syllable,  the  method  adopted 
was,  to  he  very  particular  in  having 
him  read,  pronounce  and  accent 
aright.  After  having  done  this,  he  was 
required  to  study  and  get  the  word  so 
that  he  could  spell  it.  Having  spelt  it 
two  or  three  times,  the  one  hearing 
him  said,  "Think  of  it;  have  it  ready; 
}  shall  ask  you  to  spell  the  word  again 
presently/."  Accordingly,  he  v/as  cal- 
led upon  in  a  minute  or  tv/o,  to  speli 
the  word  again.  This  was  done  re- 
peatedly. It  was  not  unfrequently 
done  four  or  five  times. 

This  method,  with  little  variation, 
has  been  pursued  with  nearly  every 
word.  The  quantity  read  by  the  child 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  51 

I  considered  of  little  consequence  ; 
but  to  have  him  understand  the  sub- 
ject as  well  as  possible,  and  obtain  tlie 
command  of  it,  so  that  the  words  and 
ideas  should  not  be  useless  lumber,  or 
escape  from  him  as  fast  as  they  were 
called  up,  butjevery  one  increase  the 
stock  of  ready  instruDients  and  furni- 
ture, for  all  the  various  avocations  of 
the  mind.  This  I  considered  of  vast 
importance.  I  supposed  that  his  fu- 
ture vigor,  ^  accCiracy,  and  compass  of 
thought  and  of  expression  ,:  the  ease, 
perseverance  and  success  of  his  mental 
application — w^ould' depend  very  much 
upon  the  fact,  whether  or  not,  when 
young,  he  learned  to  lay  hold  upon 
subjects  with  energy,  courage  and  res- 
olution. TVhatever  themes  his;  mind 
was  directed  to,  I-  wished  him  thor- 
oughly to  understand  so  as  to  be  an- 
imated by  their  inspiration,  rejoice  in 
his  own^efforts,  and  feel  a  suitable  de- 
pendence upon  them  for  all  future  sue- 


b2  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

cess  in  the  art  of  acquiring,  retaining 
and  appropriating  his  knowledge. — 
The  great  object  of  the  theory  and  prac- 
tice of  my  plan  was,  to  make  my  adop- 
ted son  think  closely,  and  think  suc- 
cessfully, not  having  his  attention  di- 
verted from  the  object  of  pursuit,  by 
any  scenes  which  might  be  passing 
around  him.  And  I  have  pleasing  evi- 
dence,  that  my  plan  and  exertions  have 
not  been  without  success.  Almon,  in- 
stead of  saying,  as  he  once  did  fre- 
quently," I  can't,"  is  not  discouraged, 
if  at  first  he  is  at  a  loss  for  an  answer; 
but  he  often  says,  with  an  animated 
look,  "I  guess  I  can  think  it  out,"and, 
after  some  time,  he  fetches  forth  the 
result  of  his  effort  rejoicing. 

l^liave  frequently  devoted  an  hour 
and  a  half,  and  sometimes  two  hours, 
in  a  day,  to  the  instruction  of  my  adop- 
ted son.  It  has  also  been  common  for 
others  in  my  family  to  spend  from  an 
hour  to  an  hour  and  a  half,  in  instruc- 


Ai\  ASTOINISHIAG  AFFAIR.  5S 

ting  hii;i.  It  is  therefore  probable 
that  the  time  spent  in  his  instruction, 
has  not  been  much,  if  any,  less  than 
three  hours  a  day,  on  an  average,  ever 
since  he  has  been  in  my  family.  This 
statement  has  not  been  made  hastily, 
or  at  random,  but  with  much  consider- 
ation  and  caution;  and  it  is  believed 
to  be  correct,  not  only  by  myself,  but 
also  by  Mrs.  Arnold  and  the  lady  in 
my  family. 

Very  particular  attention  has  also 
been  paid  to  his  manners  and  habits  ; 
his  personal,  domestic,  and  moral  con- 
duct, and  feelings. 

To  rear  up  a  child  we  thought  so 
promising — to  cultivate,  expand  and 
improve  the  mind  and  the  heart,  v/a^ 
regarded  by  us  all,  as  a  most  worthy 
and  noble  enterprise.  It  was  made  one 
of  the  principal  objects  of  daily  con- 
cern. Our  hopes  and  fears,  our  joys. 
Sorrows  and  prayerif  gathered  with 
'ivelv  interest  arounl  him,  and  ascen- 


64  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

ded  on  the  wings  of  devotion  to  the  fa- 
ther of  our  spirits.  When  giving  our 
attention  to  his  physical,  mental  and 
moral  improvement, we  considered  our- 
selves as  laborors,  not  only  for  the  wid- 
ow and  the  fatherless,  but  also  for  the 
glory  of  God,  the  prosperity  of  Zi- 
on,  and  the  hicrhest  good  of  our  fel- 
low  men.  We  did  not  expect  our  re- 
ward immediately;  and  much  less  did 
we  expect  a  prosecution  for  our  la- 
bors. All  this  however,and  more  too, 
has  come  upon  us,  only  because  we 
were  determined  to  do  our  best  for  the 
child;  so  unwilling  to  be  disappointed 
in  our  hopes,  and  realise  our  fears  ; 
and  so  anxious  to  save  from  the  con- 
trol of  stubbornness,  all  that  he  was, 
and  might  be,  and  all  that  we  had  done 
for  him  and  intended  to  do.  But  wc 
have  not  received  this  unsuitable  rec- 
ompense from  the  fatherless  or  the 
widow;  but  it  is  principally  from  stran- 
gers, for  whom  we  desire  better  things 
in  return. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  66 

PROGRESS  HE  MADE. 

It  is  acknowledged,  I  believe  on  all 
hands,  that  he  has  made  great  improve- 
ment in  many  respects,  particularly  in 
reading  and  spelling. 

When  he  came  to  live  with  me,  on 
the  8th  of  last  October,  [1829,]  he  could 
not  pronounce  any  of  his  abs,  and  fre- 
quently miscalled  his  letters.  I  made 
use  of  the  edition  of  Webster's  Spelling 
Book,  published  in  Boston,  1819;  and 
pursuing  the  method  I  have  before 
jjientioned,  in  about  twelve  weeks 
he  got  to  the  end  of  words  in  four  syl- 
lables, upon  Page  32',  reading  and  spel- 
ling according;  to  the  before  mentioned 
method.  At  this  time,  his  mother 
put  into  my  hands  Hough's  second 
edition  of  Kneeland's  Spelling  Book. 
Wishing  he  might  have  his  little  words 
familiar,  I  commenced  with  him  in 
this,  at  the  beginning  of  monosyllables, 
and  let  him  read  on  more  rapidly  than 
before,   spelling  him  occasionally  and 


&6  IIN    ASTOISISHING  AFFAIR 

giving  him  lessons  of  three  or  four 
words,  to  get  so  as  to  spell  any,  or  all 
of  them,  as  he  might  be  asked.  For 
about  two  weeks,  I  went  on  thus  witli 
him,  till  we  came  to  the  middle  of  the 
30th  page,  w  liere  we  met  -  with  the 
Vf  Old  gutter^  and  both  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  fall  in  and  get  mired,  as  may 
be  seen  in  the  account  of  this  affair. 


DIFFERENT  METHODS  OF  CORREC- 
TION. 

It  has  always  been  my  object  to  ren- 
der the  way  of  obedience,  both  in  ap- 
pearance and  reality,  as  easy  and  pleas- 
ant, but  that  of  disobedience  as  diffi- 
cult and  unpleasant,  as  possible.  Ac- 
cordingly Almon,  when  disobedient, 
was  denied  the  privilege  of  sitting 
with  us  as  usual  at  the  table,  and  parta- 
king the  niceties  which  it  occasionally 
furnished.  In  such  a  case  he  ate  by 
himself,  at  another    table  ;   or  left  the 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  57 

room,  and  remained  until  he  was  cal- 
led for,  as  we  thought  proper.  This 
was  tlie  most  common  correction  for 
smaller  offences,  and  was  found  to  have 
a  very  good  effect. 

In  a  very  few  cases  we  sent  him  into 
the  cellar,  to  remain  a  certain  time, 
bat  to  little  purpose. 

Although  the  use  of  the  hand  upon 
tlie  ear,  is  a  very  ready  and  with  some 
a  very  common  correction,  I  did  it 
but  seldom,  and  lightly.  I  do  not  rec- 
ollect doing  it  more  than  three  or 
four  times. 

At  one  time,  when,  on  account  of  un- 
common neorligence  and  forgetfulness, 
or  some  more  guilty  cause^  he  either 
could  not  or  would  not  pronounce  a 
very  little  and  easy  word,  and  I  thought 
his  mind  needed  a  stimulus  that  woukl 
be  effectual,  I  directed  him  to  go  out 
and  ask  the  horse  what  it  was.  He 
did  it,  though  very  reluctantly.     I  then 


58  AN  ASTONISinNG  AFFAIR. 

asked  him  what  the  horse  said.  He 
said  the  horse  did  not  know.  I  then 
told  him  to  go  and  ask  tjie  cow.  When 
I  asked  him  what  the  cow  said,  he  an- 
swered, that  the  cow  did  not  know. 
1  then  told  him  that  they  were  just 
like  him  about  the  word,  for  he  did 
not  know. 

This  rap  assailing  the  principle  of 
pride,  took  effect  and  quickened  the 
intellect. 

A  word  and  a  look,  generally  answer- 
ed the  purpose  for  the  little  faults. 

As  I  am  called  upon  in  this  case, 
and  have  resolved,  to  give  an  exact 
acount  of  every  method  of  correction 
used  with  my  son,  this  must  be  my 
apology,  if  one  is  necessary,  for  rela- 
ting amon«  the  rest  a  correction  some- 
what    ludicrous. 

Onejmorning  when  he  had  told  me 
something  that  was  false,  and  the  time 
drew  near  when  he  usually  w-ent  out 
for  necessary  purposes,  I  had  his  com- 


AN  ASTONlSHINa  AFFAIR.  59 

inoa  suit  oi"  clothes  exchanged  for 
another,  suggesting  that  one  of  the  but- 
tons needed  a  little  attention,  wliicli 
was  really  the  case.  Raving  done 
this,  I  was  now  prepared  to  show  him 
one  of  the  difficuhies  attending  false- 
hood. He  presently  asked  me  if  I 
would  please  to  unbutton  his  clothes; 
but  I  asked  him  if  he  had  not  told  me 
a  lie  that  morning?  He  said  he  had. 
I  then  asked  him,  how  I  could  know 
that  he  really  needed  my  assistance? 
He  said  he  could  not  tell,  1  then  sent 
him  to  a  secpnd  person,  and  a  third, 
and  he  found  the  same  diClcaities  in 
the  way;— neitlier  could  he  tell  them. 
He  then  came  back  to  me,  nature  pres- 
sing her  demands  and  his  troubles  in- 
creasing ;  but  his  ingenious  mind  could 
not  yet  discover  any  way  by  which  I 
could  certainly  know  that  he  needed 
what  he  requested.  I  then  embraced 
the  opportunity  to  impress  upon  his 
mind  this  fart     If  he  told  fo,  he  would 


60  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

not  be  believed  when  he  told  the  truth. 
This  lesson  was  remembered  and  will 
not  soon  be  forgotten. 

We  also,  not  nnfreqiiently,  found  it 
necessary  to  use  the  rod  of  correction, 
though  we  intended  to  use  it  according 
to  tlie  scriptures,  and  not  in  violation 
ofllicir  authority.  At  onetime  when  I 
had  occadonto  use  the  rod,  I  immedi- 
ately conversed  with  him  about  his 
conduct,  and  then  we  both  knelt  down 
by  the  bed-side,  and  I  prayed  for  him, 
in  language  which  he  understood,  and 
remembered,  and  has  sometimes  men- 
tioned to  others,  in  giving  tliem  an  ac- 
count of  this  singular  correction;  in 
which  the  rod, conversation  andprayer. 
were  used  in  connexion,  not  only  in 
reality,  but  in  appearance  also. 

This  is  a  true  and  faithful  account  of 
all  the  different  methods  of  correction 
employed  in  relation  to  Almon. 


^' 


^N  ASTONISHINa  AFFAIR.  61 

CHARACTER  OF  THE  CHILD. 

I  would  sink  before  I  would  rise,  by 

misrepresenting  the  character  of  the 
boy  I  love.  It  is  not  the  occasional 
acts  of  obstinacy,  occurring  once  a 
fortnigiit,  that  determine  general  char- 
acter. It  may  therefore  be  said  of  Al- 
mon,  since  he  has  been  with  me,  that 
he  has  been  a  good  boy,  a  most  inter- 
estincr  child.  For  one  of  his  age,  he 
is  uncommonly  large,  vigorous,  mus- 
cular, bold  and  energetic.  He  is  not 
inclined  to  halt,  and  hesitate,  at  tri- 
fling difficulties  ;  but  rather  disposed 
to  encounter  them,  and  surmount  or 
bear  tliem  av/ay.  His  mind  is  strong  ; 
his  understanding  sound  and  clear  ;  his 
memory  retentive,  and  his  reason  ever 
operative.  He  is  sensibly  alive  to 
kindnes!5  and  attention  ;  grateftd  for 
favors,  and  well  disposed  to  make 
seasonable  and  suitable  returns.  As 
to  his  disposition  to  obey,  in  general, 
he  ii  uncommonly  ready  faithful.  In 
6 


$2  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

all  the  families  of  my  acquainiancei 
or  relatives,  i  have  never  known  a 
child  who  usually  practised  such  ready 
obedience  as  Aim  on  yields  me.  He 
was  to  me  and  my  family  an  object  of 
much  affection  and  interest.  But 
though  all  this  may  be  said  with  per- 
fect truth  and  consistency,  yet  it  is 
well  known  that  he  manifiested  great 
obstinacy  occasionally — a  determined 
disposition  to  have  liis  own  will,  with- 
out yielding  to  superior  authority  or  in- 
fluence. This  disposition  was  "  grow- 
ing with  his  growth  and  strengthening 
with  his  strength,"  and  coming  forth 
on  particular  occasions  with  more 
prominence  and  effect.  He  knew  it 
was  not  right ;  and  would  occasional- 
ly, of  himself,  speak  with  sorrow  of 
these  unhappy  seasons.  But  still,  the 
evil  existed,  and  threatened  a  most  dis- 
astrous influence  over  himself,  and  oth- 
ers, if  he  should  live,  controling  and 
perverting  his  line  talents,  and  many 


AN  ASiO:aSHlNG  AFFAIR.  63 

amiable  qiuaties,  to  the  service  of  oc- 
casional unyielding  stubbornness — a 
determined  self  will.     This 

PARTICULAR   TRAIT  IN  HIS  CHAR- 
ACTER 

Sometimes  retarded,  for  a  day  or 
two,  his  progress  in  useful  instructipn, 
and  rendered  his  socjety  much  less 
agreeable.  The  evil,  I  had  no  doubt, 
however,  might  be  cured,without  even 
suspecting  that  it  would  take  long, 
or  be  attended  with  any  permanent  in- 
jury, but  with  present  and  everlasting 
benefit  to  himself  and  others.  But  as 
yet,  previous  to  the  severe  correction, 
I  had  never  punished  him  when  I  took 
the  stand, — ''  You  shall  obey,  or  I  will 
whip  you  till  you  do."  I  clearly  saw 
that  a  firm  stand,  and  a  direct  encoun- 
ter like  this,  was  necessary  for  the  best 
interests  and  usefulness  of  the  child. 
But  I  had  often  resolved,  and  I  main- 
tained the  resolution,  that  I  would  not 


64  AfN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR 

take  this  stand,  except  in  some  case  in 
which  it  was  plain  as  it  could  be,  tliat 
the  reason  why  he  did  not  obey,  was 
not  because  he  couZfZ  not,  but  because 
he  would  not.  When  he  should  mani- 
fest a  fit  of  obstinacy,  and  the  case  was 
so  plain  as  to  be  beyond  all  doubt  that 
the  reason  why  he  did  not  obey  mo 
was  because  he  "  felt  contrary,"  I  re- 
solved that  I  would  then  try  the  effi- 
cacy of  this  principle, — ''  You  shall 
obey,  or  I  will  whip  you  until  you 
do."  A  case  of  this  kind,  occurred  on 
January  15th,  the  day  previous  to  the 
severe  punishment.  Wliten  I  took  my 
stand,  he  yie-lded  and  obeyed.  He 
had  not  yet  quite  courage  enough  to 
withstand  such  an  encounter.  I  thouglit 
he  would  have,  to  be  sure,  but  I  did 
not  think  he  would  so  long  refuse  to 
submit.  He  certainly  knew  that  I  al- 
ways kept  my  word,  and  did  as  I  told 
him  I  would.  Surely,  thought  I,  this, 
must  be  discouraging.     But   he  knew 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  65 

well  that  it  made  me  almost  sick  to 
whip  him,  and  perhaps  he  was  encour- 
aged to  think  that  for  this  reason  I 
should  yield  the  point. 

But  I  must  give  a  particular  account 
of  the  circumstances  attending  the  af- 
fair for  which  I  have  been  indicted. 


THE  MORNING  OF  JANUARY  16TH. 

During  two  days  previous  to  this  time, 
Almon  had  been  more  than  uaUEdly  un- 
pleasant and  contrary  ;  consequently 
we  had  not  let  him  come  to  the  table 
with  us  as  usual,  but  gave  him  his  food 
at  the  same  time,  on  another  table  ; 
except  once  or  twice  when  we  sent 
him  out  of  the  room,  to  remain  until 
he  was  called.  This  was  depriving 
him  of  a  privilege  which  he  highly 
valued,  and  it  had  been  found  to  have 
a  very  good  effect.  But  now  his  breast 
was  too  full  to  be  relieved  in  such  a 
manner.  He  felt  too  stubborn  to  be 
6* 


66  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR- 

Bubdued    by  means    so   simple,    and 
measures  so  mild. 

I  called  his  attention  to  his  book  in 
the  morning  as  usual.  He  found,  or 
pretended  to  find  it,  rather  difficult 
to  read  words  ^vhich  he  had  read  and 
gpelt  weeks  before,  and  not  half  as 
long,  or  hard,  as  others  with  which  he 
was  familiar.  He  met  with  difficulty 
particularly  at  the  first  syllable  of  the 
word  gutter.  I  asked  him  what  ^-«-f, 
?pelt  ;  but  he  w^ould  not  tell  me.  I 
then  asked  what  u-t-  spelt.  He  refused 
to  tell.  I  then  turned  to  the  word  ut- 
ter, that  he  might  not  only  hear  but 
see  u-t  standing  by  itself.  He  was  still 
disobedient.  I  then  turned  to  his  abs^ 
expecting  his  pride  would  overcome 
his  obstinacy  so  much,  that  he  would 
pronounce  ii-t.  It  is  the  last  word  in 
the  second  line  of  lesson  vi.  I  thought 
it  not  best  to  cdme  down  at  once  upon 
the  disputed  word,  but  chose  rather 
to   have  him    read  till  he  come  to  it. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  67 

He  read  the  first  line  of  the  lesson, 
and  commenced  the  second  ;  but  prob- 
ably finding  himself  on  the  way  to 
u-t,  he  stopped  at  e-t.  The  difiiculty 
was  now  doubled  ;  e-t  and  u-t  were 
both  in  the  dispute-  I  asked  him  if 
he  did  not  know  what  they  spelt ;  and 
he  said  he  did.  Then  said  I,  why  do 
you  not  tell  me,  Almon  ?  He  said, 
*•'  because  I  feel  contrary."  I  then 
asked  him  if  he  did  not  mean  to  tell  ? 
His  answer  was,  "  No  Sir/''  I  then 
gave  him  a  stern,  reproving  look,  say- 
ino-  to  him,  vou  must  mind.  I  also 
snapt  his  ears  repeatedly,  and  used  va- 
rious mild  measures  to  obtain  obedi- 
ence. But  as  he  still  refused,  I  asked 
him  again  if  he  did  not  know  what 
e-t  and  u-t  spelt  ?  He  answered,  "  Yes 
Sir."  Why  then,  said  I,  do  you  not 
tell  me  ?  Because,  said  he,  I  feel  con- 
trary. And  will  you  not  tell  me,  Al- 
mon ?  "  No  Sir."  I  went  through 
with   this   sfune  process,  yet  once   or 


68  AN    ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.      t 

twice  more,  I  asked  him  the  same  ques- 
tions, and  he  gave  me  the  same  an- 
swers ;  still  refusing  to  obey,  and  de- 
termined to  h'dve  his  will.  And,  I  con- 
fess, I  was  determined  he  should  not 
have  it.  I  did  not,  by  any  means, 
thinit  it  best  to  let  him  have  his  will. 

As  the  case  was  plain,  and  beyond 
all  doubt,  that  he  could  most  easily, 
but  would  not  obey,  I  took  my  stand, 
on  this  ground,  ''  Almon,  you  shall 
mind,  or  I  will  whip  you  till  you  do." 
He  still  remained  unyielding.  But  I 
resolved  to  give  him  a  fair  opportuni- 
ty to  escape  from  my  displeasure.  I 
therefore  laid  his  book  open  upon  the 
table,  and  called  his  attention  repeated- 
ly to  the  little  words,  while  I  made 
preparations  for  the  threatened  pun- 
ishment. 

My  rods  were  the  tops  or  boughs 
of  little  birches,  running  to  extreme 
points,  as  small  as  knitting  needles, 
and  perliaps  the  length  of  my  arm. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  69 

Before  I  began  to  use  the  rods,  he 
told  nic  what  u-t  spelt  ;  but  still,  \vith 
no  little  siillenness,  maintained  his  ob- 
stinacy about  e-t  and  refused  to  pro- 
nounce it.  I  again  asked  him  if  he 
did  not  know  how  ;  and  he  said  he 
did.  Why,  then,  do  you  not  tell  me  r 
"  Because  I  feel  contrary."  Will  you 
not  tell  me  ?  "  No  Sir."  Are  you 
determined  that  you  will  not  tell  me  ? 
''  Yes  Sir."  I  then  said  to  him, — I 
understand  you,  Almon  ;  I  know  what 
you  mean.  You  shall  not  have  your 
will  ;  if  you  do  not  pronounce  e-t  I 
shall  whip  you  till  you  do. 

Now,  Almon,  understand  me — I  am 
going  to  whip  you,  because  you  will 
not  mind,  when  you  know  you  ought 
to  do  it.  You  say  that  you  know  what 
e-t  spells,  but  do  not  tell  me  because 
you  feel  contrary,  and  you  are  deter- 
mined that  you  icill  not  tell  ;  and  you 
«ay,  thc.t  boys  who   feel  so   contrary 


70  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

and  will  not  mind,  must  be  \vhii)ped, 
--and  so  I  say. 

I  had  before  asked  him,  if  ht  did 
not  know  that  he  ought  to  obey.  He 
said  he  did.  I  had  also  asked  him, 
what  must  be  done  to  boys  who  felt 
and  acted  as  he  did,  and  would  not 
obey  .^  He  said,  they  must  be  whip- 
€d.  Thus  it  is  plain  that  he  justified 
me,  while  he  condemned  himself  to 
stripes.  And  his  majestic  mind,  and 
towering  will,  would  have  looked 
down  with  utter  contempt  upon  my 
littleness,  cowardice,  insignificance  and 
want  of  integrity,  and  he  would  have 
felt  at  full  liberty  to  trample  under 
foot  all  rule  and  authority,  through- 
out my  family,  had  I  shrunk  from  the 
contest,  when  he  gave  me  such  a  chal- 
lenge as  this.  Strange  indeed !  but 
true,  Almon  is  in  many  respects  a  re- 
markable child  but  not  less  remarka- 
ble for  his  size,  the  uncommon  vigor 
of  his  system  and  the  stubbornness  of 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  1^ 

his  will,  than  for  any  thing  else.  But 
to  return — after  half  an  hour  spent  in 
my  kitchen  and  by  my  fire  side — with 
a  heart  pained  within  me — tremulous, 
feeble,  and  fearful,  not  with  anger  but 
with  sensibility  and  tenderness — alive 
if  ever  I  was  to  a  sense  of  duty,  and 
the  good  of  the  child  ;  with  such  feel- 
ings, not  doubting  what  was  duty,  af- 
ffer  all  that  I  had  seen  and  heard,  and 
I  had  given  my  word  that  he  should 
submit — with  such  feelings,  I  say,  not 
controled  by  passion,  I  took  the  rods 
in  one  hand,  and  with  the  other  led 
mv  son  to  the  cellar. 


CELIiAR  SCENE. 
Here  occurred  a  scene  which  will 
never  be  forgotten.  As  to  the  correc- 
tion, there  ii?  certainly  one  thing  wWi 
which  it  may  be  measured,  and  that  is^ 
the  obstinacy  of  the  child, — the  all  en- 
during obstinacy  of  my  adopted  son. 


73  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

Here  are  two  things  of  the  same  extent 
and  dimensions  precisely — the  correc- 
tion, and  the  obstinacy  of  the  child  ; 
and  how  unhappy  must  have  been  the 
result,  if  the  piuiislunent  had  not  been 
''continued  till  obstinacy  was  sub- 
dued." 

I  know  there  are  some,  who  are  not 
frightened  at  the  consequences  of  an 
unsubdued  will  ;  bitt  I  am  not  of  their 
number.  Before  I  began  to  chasten 
the  child,  he  said  to  me,  you  may 
whip  me,  if  you  will  not  take  my 
clothes  off.  *  By  this  I  understood, 
that  he  did  not  care  for  a  whi|)ping, 
with  the  Aothes  on.  Of  course  I  had  no 
doubt  it  was  best  to  take  them  off; 
which  was  accordingly  done.  I  then 
took  a  silk  handkerchief,  and  tied  one 
end  round  his  right  wrist,  and  listened 
the  other  to  a  nail  in  the  side  of  the 
cuoboard;  so  as  to  elevate  his  arm  a 
little  above  a  level.  My  object  in  doing 
this  was,  that  I  might  hold  him  by  the 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  73 

other  wrist  and  have  him  more  at 
command,  not  miss  my  aim,  striking 
where  I  ought  not  ;  that  I  might  be 
less  likely  to  injure  my  son,  or  fail  of 
my  object.  Indeed,  this  was  the  only 
way  in  which  I  could  pi^vent  him 
from  biting  my  hands,  which  he  tried 
to  do  with  all  his  might. 

He  had  now  become  furious  with 
passion.  The  tempest  raged  for  a 
while  more  and  more  ;  awakening  on 
his  part,  the  most  angry  looks  and  the 
most  revengeful  gestures.  With  him 
in  this  condition,  and  myself,  the  wife 
of  my  bosom,  and  the  lady  of  my  fam- 
ily, all  of  us  in  distress,  and  with  hearts 
sinkino*  within  us,  I  commenced  using 
the  rod,  according  to  Pro  v.  xxiii,  14th, 
"  thou  shalt  beat  him  with  the  rod, 
and  shalt  deliver  his  soul  from  hell." 
I  did  not  withhold  correction  till  he 
obeyed,  according  to  verse  ISth, 
''  withhold  not  correction  from  the 
child."  I  did  not  think  so  much  ol 
7 


74  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

killing  him,  as  of  saving  his  life  ;  as 
it  is  written,  "  For  if  thou  beatest  him 
with  the  rod,  lie  shall  not  die."  I  be- 
lieved that  foolishness  was  bound  up  in 
his  heart,  according  to  Proverbs  22d, 
15th.  And  I  knew  of  no  better  meth- 
od to  drive  away  his  foolishness  than 
the  one  prescribed  by  the  Lord,  ''  The 
rod  of  correction  shall  drive  it  far 
from  him."  I  chastened  him  while 
there  was  hope,  according  to 
chapter  19th,  verse  18th,  ''  Chasten 
thy  son  while  there  is  hope."  I  did 
not  give  up  until  I  obtaiifed  submission 
and  obedience,  according  to  verse 
18th,  ''And  let  not  thy  soul  spare  for 
his  crying."  And  1  think  it  some 
proof  that  I  did  not  hate  him,  accord- 
ing to  chapter  18th  verse  24th,  "  He 
that  spareth  his  rod  hateth  his  son." 
I  think  it  some  evidence  that  I  loved 
him  according,  to  the  latter  clause  of 
the  same  verse,  "  He  that  loveth  him 
ehasteneth  him  betimes." 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFIAR.  75 

During  this  most  unpleasant,  self 
denying  and  disagreeable  work,  I 
made  frequent  stoj^,  commanding  and 
trying  to  persuade,  silencing  excuses, 
answering  objections, — and  then,,  a- 
gainst  the  whole  current  of  sympathy, 
called  forth  by  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances, and  my  family  most  deeply 
sympathising  with  myself  and  son,  I 
proceeded  under  the  direction,  not  of 
passion,  but  of  the  united  dictates  of 
reason,  understanding  and  conscience  ; 
and  I  trust  I  may  add  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  higher  principle  of  love  to 
God  and  man.  I  had  the  consolation 
of  knowing,  too,  that  the  judgment  of 
my  family  in  relation  to  the  affair,  ex- 
actly corresponded  with  my  own. 

But  this  is  not  all  the  impulse  and 
direction  which  urged  me  forward  to- 
ward the  point  of  the  child's  submis- 
sion, and  forbade  me  to  give  up,  or 
flinch,  till  it  was  obtained.  I  am  free 
to  acknowledge,  however   strange  it 


76  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIK. 

may  seem,  that,  in  this  work  of  chas- 
tisement, I  felt  all  i)^  force  of  divine 
authority  and  express  command,  that 
I  ever  felt  in  any  case  in  all  my  life. — 
And  never  did  I  perform  an  action,  in 
which  my  own  conviction  of  duty  and 
usefulness  to  another  were  clearer, 
stronger,  or  opposed  by  a  more  pow- 
erful current  of  human  sympathies  and 
human  feelings. 

But  however  unpleasant  and  diffi- 
cult the  work,  I  felt  obliged  to  proceed. 
And  I  repeat  it,  as  I  proceeded,  I  made 
frequent  stops  ;  (not  less  than  a  dozen,) 
and,  at  every  stop,  I  commanded,  tried 
to  persuade,  silenced  excuses,  and  an- 
swered objections.  For  he  found 
many  objections  and  excuses.  He 
said  he  could  not  tell,  because  I  would 
not  let  him  come  to  the  table — because 
he  felt  contrary — because  he  was  cold 
because  he  was  choking  up — because 
he  was  sick — ^because  he  Wanted  to  go 
out   doors — because  he  could  not  tell 


AN  ASTOMbHlNG   AFFAIR.  77 

down  cellar,  but  if  I  would  let  him  go 
up,  he  would  tell.  But  I  had  told 
him  repeatedly  that  he  should  not  go 
up  till  he  obeyed  ;  and  I  felt  that  it  was 
better  to  break  his  will^  than  to  break 
myivord.  Now,  Mr.  Arnold,  s'aid  he, 
in  a  very  eloquent,  and  artful  manner, 
"If  you  will  only  let  me  go  up,  I  will 
tell  you." 

Such  arguments  he  urged  with  greai 
frequency  and  importunity.  But  he 
was  most  obstinately  and  persevering- 
ly  opposed  to  any  thing  like  making 
mc  a  full,  fair  and  unconditional  sur- 
render. To  such  a  surrender,  his 
whole  heart  revolted.  I  was  humblino 
to  his  piide,  opposed  to  his  obstinacy^ 
and  his  former  habits  of  disobedience 
and  self  indulgence.  And  without 
doubt  such  a  calculater  as  he  is,  felt  tke 
influence  of  his  own  calculations  with 
respect  to  the  future.  He  doubtless 
thought  that  it  was  a  question  of  sub- 
mission and  obedience  for  !ife  If  he 
7* 


YS  AN  ASTONISHING  AfPAIR. 

submitted  and  obeyed,  then  he  must 
always  do  it.  And  I  knew  thjH  victo- 
ry to  him,  would  be  more  injurious 
than  defeat.  To  let  him  have  his  will 
in  such  a  case,  would  be  giving  up  all 
rule  and  authority  in  my  family,  both 
for  the  present  and  the  future.  I 
should  have  broken  my  word ;  and, 
to  the  control  of  unyielding  stubborn- 
ness, yielded  all  that  my  son  should 
ever  possess  of  talents  or  acquirements. 

I  had  repeatedly  told  him  that  he 
should  obey,  or  I  should  punish  him 
till  he  did.  He  knew  that  he  could 
have  the  punishment  long  or  short, 
severe  or  not,  just  as  he  pleased.  And 
he  put  an  end  to  it,  as  soon  as  he  pleas- 
ed, by  doing  as  he  was  told. 

During  the  correction,  Mrs.  Arnold 
came  into  the  cellar,  and  said  to  Al- 
mon, — How  do  you  spell  e-t  9  He  told 
her  immediately,  without  any  assist- 
ance. She  asked  him  the  same  ques- 
tion three  times,  and  he  answered  her 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  79 

correctly,  without  any  hesitation.  But 
as  the  contest  was  not  between  him 
and  Mrs.  Arnold,  but  between  him  and 
myself,  1  again  asked  him  the  question. 
What  does  c-t  spell  ?  But  he  would 
not  tell  me.  He  was  not  yet  ready. 
He  saw  that  my  little  sticks,  which 
were  very  brittle,  were  breaking  up 
very  fast,  and  he  evidently  iiad  some 
hopes  that  I  should  give  out,  and  there- 
fore he  still  refused  to  obey.  I  saw 
him  eyeing  the  sticks  keenly,  with  a 
calculating  look  ;  and  I  endeavored  to 
convince  him  that  I  had  enough.  But 
when  I  had  nearly  used  up  all,  I  called 
for  more,  to  cut  off  in  season  the  ex- 
pectation of  gaining  his  object,  which 
the  child  manifested,  while  seeing  the 
rods  break  up  so  fast.  Two  or  three 
were  brought,  which  were  very  poor 
and  of  very  little  use.  One  was  a 
beech  stick,  about  as  large  as  the  little 
end  of  a  common  pipe  stem,  very 
crooked  and  knotty,  hard  and  rough. 


80  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

5  therefore  did  not  use  it  ;  and  call- 
ed for  my  broken  horsewhip,  which 
was  brought.  The  lasli  was  just  slip- 
ped on  to  the  end  of  the  staff,  and 
came  off  every  few  blows.  But  though 
the  whip  was  in  so  bad  a  state,  and  was 
so  used  that  it  did  not  break  the  skin, 
or  wound  so  deeply  as  the  rods,  yet 
my  son  had  no  hopes  that  it  would 
wear  out  ;  and  therefore  he  submitted, 
and  obeyed.  He  pronounced  the 
word  as  distinctly,  and  emphatically, 
as  any  T  ever  heard  from  his  lips.  And 
0!j  the  relief!  the  joy!  the  delightful 
anticipations  it  brought! 

*'So  sweet  the"  note  "your  dainty  ear. 
For  joy,  wouldbroak  its  drum  to  hear  ;"" 
Nor  could  ^^dull  organs,  at  the  sound, 
Rest  in  tranquillity  profound," 

But  under  the  all  coatroling  influ- 
ence of  such  a  degree  of  angry  passion 
and  obstinacy,  as  my  son  had  manifcs- 
led,  no  wonder  he  thought  he  "should 
beat  mc  out,"  feeble  and  tremulous  as 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  81 

I  was ;  and  knowing,  as  he  did  that 
it  made  me  almost  sick  to  whip  him. 
At  that  time  he  could  neither  pity  me 
nor  himself. 

Feelings  of  tenderness  for  him,  dur- 
ing this  scene,  I  certainly  had.  I  felt 
deeply.  And  my  feelings  were  greatly 
increased,  not  by  a  fit  of  passion,  but 
by  my  prijiciples  ;  all  the  fountains  of 
my  sympathies  were  broken  up,  and 
came  forth  in  one  almost  resistless  tide, 
which  had  entirely  overcome  me,  had 
it  not  been  opposed  by  the  barriers  of 
truth,  firm  fixed  upon  the  founda- 
tions of  duty.  Reason,  understanding 
and  conscience,  the  word  of  God  and  the 
sentiments  of  the  wisest  and  best  that 
have  ever  lived,  gave  their  united  in- 
fluence to  support  mc  against  the  tide 
of  sympathy.  Indeed  while  I  was  thus 
supported,  and  this  torrent  pressed  mc 
on  the  left,  there  rolled  on  another  up- 
on the  right,  whose  name  was  also  sym- 
pathy, taking  its  rise  from  the  destruc 


82  IN  ASTONISHIN*  AFFAIR. 

tion  of  all  my  exalted  hopes  respec- 
ting my  son,  the  resurrection  of  all  my 
fears  of  evil  upon  him,  and  by  him 
upon  others,  in  this  world  ;  and  from 
the  worm  that  never  dies,  and  the  fire 
that  shall  never  be  quenched,  in  the 
world  to  come.  I  believed  in  the  ex- 
istence of  everlasting  misery,  and  fear- 
ed he  would  suffer  it.  I  believed  in 
the  existence  of  everlasting  happiness, 
and  feared  he  would  lose  it  all.  And 
if  I  had  another  son  in  the  same  circum- 
stances, whom  I  loved  as  dearly,  I 
would  sooner  risk  my  danger  from  an 
indictment  before  the  grand  jury, 
than  his  danger,  and  the  danger  fo 
others,  from  his  "  beating  me  out," 
as  my  adopted  son  says  he  expected  to 
do.  In  short,  here  I  stand  upon  a 
foundation,  from  which,  so  long  as  my 
reason  and  understanding  remain,  I  see 
not  how  I  ean  be  removed,  by  indict- 
ments, imprisonments  or  death.  The 
body  is  far  the  most  inferior    part  of 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  83 

man,  and  I  had  rather  give  my  body 
to  the  flames,  tlian  my  mind  and  my 
soul  to  error.     1  cannot  do  it. 

Half  or  three  fourths  of  an  hour  was 
spent,  in  the  manner  above  described, 
before  that  voice  was  heard  and  that 
word  spoken,  which  was  so  grateful 
to  my  ear,  and  so  joyous  to  my  heart. 
It  was  the  voice  of  submission  and 
obedience  from  the  belored  son  of  my 
adoption,  and  my  heart  rejoiced,  even 
mine.  He  gave  me  the  yielding  look 
of  approbation,  I  saw  the  j^leasant 
aspect  of  a  continiianc-e  most  expressive 
of  the  important  object  for  whicli  I 
had  been  laboring,  and  even  suiTering, 
but  little  if  any  less  than  himself.  But 
now  I  was  transported  with  the  thought 
that  he  was  saved  from  the  jaws  of  the 
devourer.  His  deliverance  filled  my 
mind,  on  my  return  from  the  cellar 
scene. 


S4  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

RETURN  FROM  TUB  CELLAR  SCENE. 

When  the  child  submitted,  I  left  him 
to  the  care  of  the  lady  of  my  family, 
to  be  immediately  dressed.  And  as  I 
ascended  the  stairs,  faint  and  feeble, 
but  aided  by  returning  strength,  my 
heart  wrapped  into  ecstacy  at  the  pros- 
pect opening  before  myiself  and  ^y 
son, — I  exclaimed  to  Mrs.  Arnold,  this 
is  worth  five  hundred  dollars.  The 
ev^il  spirit  is  cast  out.  It  was  the  joy 
of  deliverance  from  most  perilous 
dail/gcrs.  It  went  round  and  round, 
sending  its  repeated  thrills  and  rap- 
tures, through  every  heart  in  my  fam- 
ily. We  had  all  sympathised  and 
wept,  but  now  we  rejoiced  together.  I 
said,  we  will  eat  and  drink  and  be 
glad,  for  the  jubilee  is  come.  The 
day  of  such  a  victory  as  this  is  the 
time  to  feast.  I  believed  that  the  child 
was  subdued — ^that  obedience  for  life 
was  obtained — that  the  unpleasant 
work  of  whipping  was  done,  and  that 


AN  ASTOiMSniNG  AFFAIR.  85 

the  rod  miglit  be  laid  aside  to  be  used 
no  more.  The  path  of  obedience  now 
presented  a  more  joyous  and  gladden- 
ing scene,  and  I  felt  it^  inspiration,  and 
liavo  here  given  the  very  expressions 
to  which  it  gave  rise. 

But  wlicn  I  said  and  did  these  things, 
i^'as  not  aware  that  they  must  be  pub- 
lished to  the  world,  or  that  our  joy 
woukl  so  soon  be  turned  unto  grief, 
and  our  resolution  to  feast,  be  exchang- 
ed for  pain  and  sickness,  fasting  and 
weeping.  But  what  reproofs  of  con- 
science ?  What  self  accusations,  can 
I  feel  for  these  things  ?  I  have  search- 
ed, and  can  find  none.  I  do  not,  I 
cannot  feel  any.  A  full  acquittal  is  pre- 
sented me  by  the  word  of  God^ — by 
the  sentiments  of  the  greatest  and  best 
of  men — by  my  own  weariness  and 
paiufulness — my  anxieties  and  prayers 
in  behalf  of  the  widow  and  the  fath- 
erless— by  my  own  reason  and  under- 
standing, my  conscience  and  heart. 
8 


86  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

With  all  these  things  suvrouiided, 
liovv  can  I  move  from  the  point  where 
I  stand  a  single  step,  one  way  or  the 
other  ?  I  douli^less  ought  to  have 
prayed  more  for  the  Avidow  and  the 
fatherless,  and  perhaps  should  have 
talked  more  to  her  son  of  God  anda'e- 
ligion  ;  but  this  is  not  the  point  in 
question. 

Immediately  after  the  correction, 
the  child  walked  ifp  stairs  into  the 
room  where  we  live,  and  it  was  not 
one  minute  before  he  began  to  eat  and 
drink,  and  he  continued  till  he  had 
taken  a  hearty  breakfast.  He  not  on- 
ly ate  more  that  morning  than  any 
other  one  of  my  family,  but  more  than 
all^  being  three  in  number  besides  the 
child.  And  w'e  were  all  in  usual  health 
except  as  our  feelings  were  affected  by 
the  obstinacy  of  my  son,  and  the  dis- 
agreeable duties  it  required. 


iX  ASlONlSHilfG  IFTAIR  87 

kPPEARANCE   OF    THE    CHILD  AF- 
TER THE  CORRECTION. 

After  the  correction,  the  appearance 
of  the  child  was  unusually  mild,  sub- 
missive, pleasant  and  interesting.  He 
was  sensible  that  he  had  been  very 
nauglity  ;  appeared  to  be  sorry  for  it, 
said  that  the  reason  why  he  did  not 
mind,  was  because  he  felt  contrary, 
and  thought  he  should  do  so  no  more. 
Before,  when  I  had  found  it  necessary 
to  whip  him,  he  always  afterwards,  if 
asked,  expressed  the  opinion  that  I 
should  have  to  whip  him  two  or  three 
times  more.  But  now,  he  was  of  a 
diflferent  opinion.  He  thought  I  should 
not  have  to  whip  him  again,  but  that 
he  should  do  as  he  was  told  in  future. 
He  said  to  me,  most  expressively.  *^  I 
never  had  any  body  so  kind  to  me,  as 
you  are.'' 


88  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

THE  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  CHILD 
ON  JANUARY  ITTH,  BEING  THE 
DAY  FOLLOWING  THE  SEVERE 
PUNISHMENT. 

All  who  saw  him  this  day,  after  he 
was  up  and  about  in  the  gaiety  of  his 
humor,  the  liveliness  of  his  feelings, 
and  the  readiness  of  his  obedience, 
rocking  in  the  chair,  and  skipping 
about  house,  eating  and  drinking  with 
exquisite  relish,  all  I  say,  wjio  sawjiim 
in  these  circumstances,  to  more  or  less 
of  which  many  can  testify,  saw  a  child 
who  certainly  exhibited  as  much  ap- 
pearance of  enjoyment,  as  he  did  of 
suffering,  notv/ithstanding  all  his 
stripes.  And  1  do  not  know  as  it  is  too 
much  to  say,  that  he  a})peared  as  hap- 
py as  usual.  He  certainly  appeared 
much  happier  than  he  did  for  two 
days  previous  to  his  correction,  while 
he  was  giving  up  the  deep  recesses  of 
his  bosom  and  the  buoyant  emotions 
of  his  heart,  to  the  ail  controlling  ia 


iN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  89 

iluencc  of  a  returning  fit  of  obstinacy. 
Vea,  I  verily  believe,  that  on  the  one 
dark  and  dreadful  Sa})bath  day  after 
his  punishment,  he  enjoyed  more  than 
he  did  during  the  whole  time  of  two 
days  previous  to  his  punishment.  He 
certainly  exhibited  all  the  evidence  of 
it  Vv^hich  can  be  gathered  from  eating 
and  drinking,  from  ready  obedience, 
from  smiling  and  rejoicing.  If,  there- 
fore, the  happiness  of  one  day  was  lost, 
the  happiness  of  another  was  gained  ; 
if  the  sufferings  of  one  day  were  in- 
creased, the  sufferings  of  another  were 
diminislied. 

Before  sunrise,  on  the  day  after  the 
punishment,  tlie  child  was  e^^een  by 
some  who  called  for  that  purpose.  The 
whipping  he  had  received,  being  given 
upon  the  bare  skin,  showed  to  advan- 
tage ;  and  seeing  him  in  bed,  and  some 
of  the  visitors  having  been  told  that  it 
would  be  three  days  before  he  could  be 
dressed,  the  impression  was  quick  and 


90  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR 

strong  that  he  must  be  sick  ;  and  some 
soon  understood  that  he  was  dangerous- 
ly ill.  But  the  fact  was,  that  as  soon 
as  those  who  called  had  retired,  he 
was  up  and  about,  full  of  his  talk,  and 
overflowing  with  glee. 

On  the  next  day  but  one  after  the 
correction  of  the  child,  in  the  fore- 
noon, his  mother  and  an  uncle  called  ; 
and,  not  to  gratify  their  own  feelings, 
but  for  other  reasons,  they  wished  to 
take  Almon  with  them.  To  this  I 
consented  wpon  these  conditions,  name- 
ly, that  they  should  call  and  show  him 
to  nine  families  in  the  neighborhood  ; 
which  they  very  cheerfully  and  kind- 
ly engaged  to  do,  and  did  according- 
ly. Within  less  than  a  fortnight,  he 
was  returned  to  my  family,  showing 
no  stripes  or  marks  of  abuse.  And 
his  appearance  since,  justifies  the  opin- 
ion that  though  he  lost  the  point  in 
contest,  he  gained  much  by  the  loss. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  91 

A  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE  RELA- 
TIVES OF  THE  CHILD. 

I  was  always  willing,  and  even  de- 
sirous, to  have  his  relatives  know  when 
and  ivhy  he  was  punished.  I  wished 
to  have  them  know  all  my  conduct  to- 
wards him,  that  they  might  judge  of 
it  for  themselves.  They  could  also 
sympathise  with  me  in  whatever  I  did 
or  suffered  in  behalf  of  them,  or  the 
child. 

Two  weeks  before  the  severe  cor- 
rection, I  had  occasion  to  call  upon 
the  mother,  in  the  presence  of  her 
father  and  a  brother,  and  expressed  to 
ihem  the  many  disagreeable  and  pain- 
ful feelings  which  I  had  experienced 
by  the  disobedience  and  punishment  of 
my  adopted  son.  They  all  sympathis- 
ed with  me,  while  I  thus  bore  the  bur" 
dens  of  others  and  endured  their  sor- 
rows. I  asked  them  what  I  must  do 
in  case  I  foiuid  it  necessary  to  punish 
the  child  very  severely  before  he  would 


95  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

submit  and  obey  ?  They  said,  "  Ih 
must  be  made  to  mindy  I  also  asked 
them,  what  if  I  should  be  obliged  to 
punish  him  so  as  to  bring  on  a  fit  of 
sickness,  or  else  give  up  to  him  and 
let  him  have  his  will  ?  They  answer- 
ed, He  must  be  made  to  give  up  and 
obey.  I  then  told  them  that,  in  my 
opinion,  a  child  better  be  sick  a  month 
in  consequence  of  a  correction,  and  be 
subdued  by  it,  than  to  have  his  own 
will  and  never  be  subdued.  They  al- 
so expressed  the  same  opinion.  But 
the  child  did  not  receive  any  correc- 
tion from  me  that  made  him  sick,  or 
even  deprived  him  of  his  appetite  ; — 
Ao,  not  for  an  hour.  I  make  this  re- 
mark w^ith  a  special  reference  to  the 
punishment  which  luis  produced  such 
excitement  in  (he  public  mind  ;  and 
in  relation  to  this,  it  is  strictly  true. 
It  never  iiaade  him  sick,  or  even  de- 
prived him  of  liis  appetite — no,  not 
for  an  liour. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR  9S 


Behold  how  great  a  matter  a  little 
lire  kindleth,  when  many  fan  the 
flames,  who  love  to  see  them  rage. 


AN  IMPORTANT  FACT. 

It  is  a  fact  that  my  adopted  son,  six 
or  ei«:ht  weeks  l.)efore  the  severe  cor- 
rcction,  nearly  lost  his  life  by  the  in- 
fluence of  that  wilful  disobedience  and 
impatience  of  restraint  which  afterwards 
occasioned  the  correction  that  pro- 
duced so  much  excitement.  When 
Mrs.  Arnold  and  mvself  were  absent 
from  home,  and  he  was  left  to  the  care 
of  his  mother,  he  wilfully  hvoke  away 
from  her  hand  in  returning  from  meet- 
ing,  and  attempting  hastily  to  cross 
the  road,  he  rushed  before  a  horse 
which  trampled  him  under  foot ;  bruis- 
ed him,  and  deprived  him  of  three 
teeth,  surely  there  was  but  a  step  be- 
tween him  and  death  !     But  a  step,  <Md 


^4  AI^  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

I  say  ?  less  than  that  !  What  blasting 
of  parental  hopes  !  What  rending  of 
fond  endearments  and  paternal  ties^ 
often  result  from  unyielding  stubborn- 
ness !  Such  stubbornness,  if  not  sub- 
dued, is  sure  to  destroy  body  and  soul. 


WEIGHT  OF  THE  CHILD. 

Nine  weeks  after  the  severe  correc- 
tion of  the  child,  having  then  recent- 
ly heard  of  a  report  like  this  :  "  JSTow 
they  say  that  Mr.  Arnold  slants  him  al- 
most to  deaih,''^ — having  heard  of  this 
report,  I  say,  it  was  thought  advisable 
to  have  the  child  weighed.  It  was 
done  accordingly.  And  though  he 
was  not  more  fleshy  than  usual,  he 
weighed  fifty-one  pounds  and  a  half^ 
good  weight.  A  pitiable  object  in- 
deed !  A  poor  little  fatherless  boy, 
whipped  and  starved  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  at  the  age  of  four  years  and 


A-N    ASIO.MSHING    At  FAIR-  l^S' 

ten  months,  he  weighed  only  fifty  one 
and  a  half  pounds.  1  cunnot  help 
pitying  a  person  who  makes  so  many 
and  sirch  powerful  appeals  to  my  sym- 
pathies. Others,  too,  I  am  persuaded, 
will  be  assisted  to  suitable  feelings,  by 
just  letting  their  children  step  into  the 
scales. 


FEELINGS  OF  3IYSELF  AND  FAMILY 
ON  JANUARY  ITTH, 

The  morning  of  this  day,  like  th« 
remainder,  was  unlike  all  others  ; 
though  brilliant,  it  was  dark  as  mid- 
night. The  air  was  salubrious.  But 
the  breeze  pestilential. 

Our  prospect  hitherto  had  been  joy- 
ous, it  was  like  ihe  prospect  of  those, 
who,  advancing  upon  the  voyage  of 
life,  behold  the  waters  gilded  with  a 
pleasant  sun,  and  hearing  the  gentle 
rippling  of  the  silver  wave,  are  de- 
lighted with  the  scene,  and  fancy  that 


96  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

no  danger  is  near.  Like  them,  we  ad- 
vanced. All  was  serene  and  joyful. 
But  soon  our  sun  was  clouded  !  Our 
sky  gathered  blackness  !  The  heavens 
were  portentious  !  The  winds  arose! 
The  tempest  swept  the  waters,  and 
liurled  them  into  heaps  !  The  song 
of  joy  was  hushed  ;  and  those  who 
f  ung  it,  seemed  engulfed  in  ruin  !  It 
was  upon  my  head,  that^the  storm  beat 
most  vehemently.  In  the  view  oi  ma- 
ny I  was  prostrate.  And  there  were 
none  so  low,  but  that  they  felt  at  full 
liberty  to  tread  me  under  foot.  My 
heart  was  filled,  and  wrung  with  an- 
guish. But  Christ  did  not  leave  me 
comfortless.  He  came  unto  me,  and 
supported  mo.  And  some  of  his  friends 
would  have  comforted  me,  if  they 
could,  by  pleading  in  my  defence.  But 
alas  !  They  could  not  be  heard.  It 
was  a  time  of  confusion.  But  in  this 
affliction,  they  visited  me  ;  and  if  I 
am  a  christian,  Christ  will  reckon  it  to 


AN  ASTONISHING^AFPAIR.  97 

their  account,  as  though  it  were  done 
to  himself.  The  Lord  reward  them  ; 
yea,  and  he  will  do  it. 


THOUG5ITS,ON  JAIVUARY  22D,  1830. 

If  the  jury  have  given  a  hearing  to 
the  complaint  against  me,  they  have 
probably  done  it  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duty  ;  and  I  know  of  no  reason 
^  to  complain  of  them.  If  the  sheriff 
comes  after  mc,  ho  will  probably  come 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  ;  and  I 
would  respect  him  more  in  doing  it, 
than  in  neglecting  it  ;  and  if  I  had  any 
honor  left  to  bestow,  I  would  honor 
him.  And  as  to  any  personal  accusa- 
tion against  any  man  concerned  in  this 
affair,  I  have  fully  purposed  that  my 
mouth  shall  not  transgress.  If  I  go  to 
the  prison,  I  shall  go  with  much  con- 
solation and  support  ; — the  comforting 
testimisny  of  my  conscience  and  my 
9 


98  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR- 

Uod,   the  many  prayers  of  a  devout 
and  affectionate  people,  and  something 
of  their  personal  company  and  defence 
This  is  more  than  the   apostles  and 
martyrs  always  had.  ,..--,, 

My  great  anxiety  is,  to  glorify  God 
and  advance  his  cause,  by  my  whole 
conduct  in  this  affair.  When  compar- 
ed  with  this  object,  personal  suffering 
is  but  a  trifle.  Oh  !  that  the  Lord  may 
help  me,  like  Paul  and  Silas,  to  pray 
and  sing  praises  to  him  in  the  darkes 
night,  and  the  deepest  aftliction,  and 
to  wait  patiently  till  he  is  pleased  to 
afford  deliverance. 

1  know  that  the  wormwood  and  the 
<rall  which  is  now  filling  my  cup  to 
overflowing,  is  not  the  reward  which 
God  has  promised,  or  will  render  me, 
for  what  I  have  done  and  design  to  do, 
for  the  widow  and  the  fatherless.  His 
work  is  perfect ;  his.reward  and  prom- 
ises are  sure,  and  his  decision  unerr- 
ing.   Here  is  my  hope  and  confidence 


A!*  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  M 

of  a  full  and  final  acquittal,  k  is  all 
my  salvation  and  all  my  desire.  Now 
I  will  try  and  endure  all  things,  and 
learn  and  do  all  I  can,  for  God  and  re- 
ligion ;  looking  to  him  for  direction, 
and  holding  on  above  at  every  step. 

This  is  the  time  to  preach  faith  and 
patience.  There  will  be  just  as  much 
of  this  fiery  trial,  and  it  will  be  just 
as  good,  as  the  Lord  sees  fit  ;  and  that 
w^ill  be  good  enough  for  me.  If  God 
pleases  to  advance  his  cause  by  per- 
mitting me  to  suffer  in  this  way,  why 
should  I  complain  ?  It  is  good  for 
me,  that  I  am  afflicted  ;  for  I  can  now 
say,  in  a  manner  1  never  could  before, 
''  Not  my  will,  0  God,  but  thine  be 
done."  It  may  be  easy  to  say  this, 
when  the  sun  of  prosperity  shines 
around  us,  and  all  shout  our  applause  ; 
but  to  say  it  with  the  officer  and  jail 
in  view,  and  the  tempest  beating  upon 
our  heads,  this  certainly  requires  some 
faith  and  prayer.     Bless  the  Lord,  0 


100  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

my  soul,  that  I  can  do  this.  Father, 
forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do. 

The  Lord  will  soon  deliv^er  me  from 
these  deep  waters  ;  set  my  feet  upon  a 
rock,  and  establish  my  goings,  and  put 
a  new  song  unto  my  mouth,  even 
praise  to  his  name. 


FEELINGS  OF  MYSELF  AND  OTHERS, 
DURING  OTHER  PARTS  OF  THE 
SCENE. 

Sometimes  the  heart  sunk  below 
the  point  of  active  employment,  with 
the  pen  and  the  pencil,  but  not  below 
the  point  of  faith,  and  love,  and  pa- 
tient endurance.  To  have  such  re- 
ports abroad  ;  to  have  churches  and 
ministers  so  distressed,  and  others  so 
injured  for  eternity — this,  of  itself,  is 
almost  insupportable. 

Oh  !  that  my  case  were  weighed  in 
an   even  balance  !    Oh  !   that  it  were 


'.^^Jy^ 


iiiS'  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  101 

tried  before  a  tribunal  of  impartial 
minds,  and  decided  according  to  the 
weight  of  evidence  !  Oh  I  that  it  were 
known  and  read  of  all  men  !  "  Oh  ! 
that  it  were  written  with  an  iron  pen, 
and  lead  in  the  rock  forever  !"  This 
would  assuage  my  grief,  and  relieve 
my  heart-ache. 

Oh  !  that  the  truth  would  come 
forth  awakened  by  the  impulse  of  na- 
ture's God,  from  all  her  works — from 
hill  and  dale — from  loftiest  mountain, 
and  deepest  valley — from  the  little 
speck  that  glitters  in  the  dust,  through 
every  rise  and  fall,  every  ascent  and 
declivity  of  nature,  in  all  her  vast  do- 
main. 

Let  it  take  the  lightning's  wing,  and 
speak  in  the  voice  of  seven  thunders. 
Let  it  be  embosomed  in  the  whirl- 
wind,— borne  aloft,  and  hurled  forth 
by  the  tempest.  Let  fire  and  storm  ; 
let  air  and  water,  become  one  continu- 
ous and  elastic  ii.edium  of  sensation 
9* 


102         AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

and  of  sound,  and  give  extention  to 
truth.  Let  it  be  warbled  upon  the 
notes  of  the  bird,  and  let  the  screech 
owl  be  its  herald.  Let  the  whipoor- 
will  by  night,  and  the  musick  of  the 
woods  by  day,  give  utterance  to  my 
woes  and  the  groans  of  my  church. 
Let  summer  and  winter,  seed  time  and 
harvest,  cold  and  heat,  be  responsive 
to  our  sighs  and  our  prayers. 


CHARACTER  OF  GOD,  A  SOURCE  OF 

CONSOLATION  IN  AFFLICTION. 

Never  before  did  the  character  of 
<Grod  appear  so  precious  and  glorious, 
casting  its  radiance  around  me  as  light 
upon  darkness  ;  compassing  me  about 
as  a  shield  ;  beaming  with  favor  ;  af- 
fording support  and  diffusing  gladness. 
How  rich  a  source  of  consolation  is 
his  infinite  wisdom  and  knowledge ! 
How  supporting   and    consoling    the  ^; 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  103 

thought,  that  all  this  trial,  and  the  oc- 
casion of  it,  are  even  better  known  to 
him  than  to  myself  !  He  is  able  to 
protect,  defend  and  deliver  me,  in  his 
own  time,  and  in  his  own  way.  That 
will  be  the  best  time,  and  the  best 
way.  I  am  willing  to  wait.  My  heart 
condemns  me  not,  and  therefore  1  have 
confidence  towards  God. 


TO  MY  ENEMIES. 

If  I  have  any  enemies,  who  have 
exerted  themselves  to  my  injury  in  this 
affair,  or  have  rejoiced  in  my  afflic- 
tion, and  I  may  be  permitted  to  speak 
a  word  to  them,  I  will  say  :  Fellow 
sinners,  guilty  like  myself  of  many 
sins,  for  which  we  need  forgiveness, 
and  w^e  must  forgive  or  we  cannot  be 
forgiven, — whatever  you  have  design- 
ed against  me — whatever  you  have 
said,  or  done,  or  thought,  or  felt,  while 


104  A.N   A?T0>*15HI>'G    AFFAIR 

I  can  most  cliecrfiilly,  yea.  "while  I  do 
most  cheertiillr  and  heartily  forgive, 
I  also  pray  the  Lord  to  pardon  you  in 
this  thing.  And  I  do,  now  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God,  and  before  the  world, 
most  cordially  give  you  a  receipt  in 
full  of  all  demands  I  have  against  you; 
though  unasked,  it  is,  indeed,  and  it 
may  be,  unwelcome  now,  yet  if  you  and 
I  sliould  never  speak  together,  or  see 
each  other  face  to  face  on  earth,  it  may 
soften  your  dying  pillow,  or  relieve 
the  anxietv  of  tumultuous  thoughts, 
and  ease  the  troubled  heart,  to  know, 
that  you  have  my  forgiveness  snd  my 
prayers.  As  I  may  not  know  the  time, 
however,  or  may  be  distant  from  the 
place  of  your  departure,  or  feel  less 
interest  for  your  welfare,  or  less  en- 
gaged in  prayer,  I  will  not  delay  this 
work  of  intercession,  though  my 
prayers  are  poor  and  feeble,  at  the 
best.     If  you  and  I  should  ever  stand 

acquittcdatthc  judgment  seat  of  Christ, 
0 


AN  ASTOMSHING  AFFAIR.  105 

or  meet  in  heaven  together,  rapt  in  the 
embraces  of  his  bosom,  and  thrilled 
with  ecstacics  of  joy  unutterable,  what 
interchanges  of  friendsliip  !  What 
heartv  welcomes  !  What  congratuia- 
tions  of  joy,  should  we  give  and  re- 
ceive from  each  other,  and  from  Christ, 
and  from  all  the  hosts  above, — pour- 
ing forth  their  raptures  at  our  entrance, 
on  that  happy  place  !  Tliere  all  ani- 
mosities will  forever  cease,  and  friend- 
ships the  purest  and  most  endearing, 
the  firmest  and  the  best  that  were  ever 
known  ;  be  confirmed,  established  and 
improved,  without  diminution  and 
without  end. 

Now  therefore,  fellow  sinners,  if 
there  be  any  consolation  in  Christ  ;  if 
any  comfort  of  love  ;  if  any  fellow- 
ship of  the  Spirit  ;  if  any  bowels  of 
mercy, — fulfil  ye  my  joy,  that  ye  be 
like-minded,  being  of  one  accord,  and 
of  one  mind.  As  the  Holy  Ghost  saith, 
to  day  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice,  hardew 


106  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

not  your  hearts.  The  Spirit  and  the 
bride  say,  come  ;  and  let  him  that 
heareth  say  coiae  ;  and  let  him  that  is 
athirst  come  ;  and  whosoever  will,  let 
liim  take  the  water  of  life  freely. 

But  I  must  return  to  my  son  Almon, 
and  notice 

A  WONDER. 

Almon  has  been  abundantly  ques- 
tioned in  relation  to  the  loord  and  cor- 
rection which  has  occasioned  so  much 
excitement.  His'inothcr  says,  "  that 
the  child  has  ever  stated  that  he  knew 
how  to  spell  and  pronounce  the  word 
for  which  he  was  corrected,  and  that 
the  reason  why  he  did  not,  was  be- 
cause he  was,  or  felt,  contrary  ;  al- 
though I  doubt  not  that  he  has  been 
questioned  an  hundred  times,  br  vari- 
ous persons  ;  and  he  has  ever  vindica- 
ted Mr.  Arnold's  conduct  in  punishing 
him  as  he  did.  And  upon  questioning 
liim  myself,  why  he   did  not   before 


AN  ASTONISHlNCi  AFFAIR.  107 

submit,  he  answered,  he    thought   he 
should  beat  Mr.  Arnold  out.'' 

One  conversation  with  him  on  this 
subject,  which  took  place  wliile  he  was 
gone  from  me,  I  must  be  permitted  to 
relate.  A  certain  person  said  to  him, 
Almon,  did  you  know  the  w^ord  that 
Mr.  Arnold  wanted  to  have  you  read  ? 
Yes,  ma'am.  Did  you  not  feel  fright- 
ened, so  that  you  could  not  tell  ?  No 
ma'am.  Did  you  not  forget  ?  No 
ma'am.  Are  you  not  mistaken  ?  No 
ma'am.  He  gave  every  answer  with 
increasing  emphasis,  and  then  added, 
keenly,  "  Don't  you  think  I  know 
them  little  abs  ^  g4  et^  i-t  it,  o-t  ot,  u-t 
«(."  Thus  has  Jie  invariably  stood  to 
the  truth,  and  confessed  his  fault,  and 
justified  the  correction,  and  defended 
his  master,  and  obtained  the  victory. 
If  every  lawyer  in  the  United  States 
had  volunteered  his  services  in  my  fa- 
vor, they  could  not  all  have  pled  my 
case  so  well  as  he  has  done  it,  when  be- 


108  AN   ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

fore  many  witnesses  of  clifFerent   fami- 
lies and  different  towns. 

Tliis  affair  is  marvellous  to  many  ; 
to  some,  unaccountable  ;  and  I  am  con- 
strained to  say,  behold  a  loonder  !  such 
as  history  records  not,  nor  experience 
unfolds.  It  is  one  .peculiar  and  alone. 
Let  the  north  give  up,  and  the  south 
keep  not  back. — Let  sons  be  brought 
from  afar  and  daughters  from  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  and  see  if  any  can  be 
compared  with  him,  in  a  case  like  this. 
Many  of  them  have  doubtless  done 
virtuously,  but  on  this  subject,  he,  per- 
haps, excels  them  all.  My  heart  shall 
cleave  to  him  while  it  cleaves  to  this 
mortal  life,  and  when  death  shall  per- 
form his  office,  may  we  not  be  divid- 
ed, but  participate  together,  the  joys 
of  immortality. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  109 

APPEALS. 

t  have  appealed  to  my  own  reason, 
understand iiig  and  conscience,  in  my 
most  rational,  devout  and  tranquil  mo- 
nients  ;  and  here  I  stand  acquitted  and 
have  confidence  towards  God. 

I  have  appealed  to  the  partner  of 
iny  bosom,  who  is  not  suspected  of 
being  destitute  of  woman's  tenderness, 
or  of  strong  affection  for  the  little 
stranger  ;  and  here  I  am  r.cquitted. 

I  have  also  appealed  to  thp  lady  la 
my  family,  whose  understanding  and 
tenderness  is  unimpeachable  ;  aud  here 
I  am  acquitted. 

I  have  appealed  to  the  tender  motk- 
©r  of  the  fatherless  boy,  who  kaow^i 
him  well,  and  loves  him  with  a  motb- 
er's  Icve;  who  knows  the  pleasures  and 
pains,  the  joys  and  sorrovvs,  the  hopes 
and  fears,  the  duties  and  responsibili» 
ties,  of  a  parent  ;and  hero  I  have  more 
than  m<^r0  acquittal.  Ho.r  gratitude 
10 


110         AN  AST0NISHINC3  AFrAIR. 

relieves  the  past,  and  her  hopes  brigh- 
ten the  future. 

1  have  appealed,  and  now  appeal,  to 
other  relatives  of  the  child,  whose 
minds  are  as  good,  and  whose  feelings 
are  as  teivder  as  others,  and  who  know 
all  the  circumstances  as  well  as  others 
and  here  I  am  acquitted. 

I  appeal  to  the  body  of  my  adopted 
son,  which  in  less  than  a  fortnight, 
showed  no  stripes.  And  here  I  am 
certainly  acquitted,  from  the  charge  of 
any  thing  like  a  permanent  or  essen- 
tial injury. 

1  appeal  to  the  whole  appearance 
and  conduct  of  the  child  at  all-  other 
times,  while  under  my  care.  If  he 
had  such  a  tyrant  for  his  master  as  re- 
port would  indicate,  and  as  some  sup- 
pose, then  surely,  his  whole  appear- 
'ance  and  conduct,  at  more  times,  and 
under  more  circumstances,  than  one, 
would  show  it,  in  spite  of  me.  Hare 
the  public  eye  cannot  be  blind,  or  dim 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  1 1  1 

of  sight,  or  fail  to  see,  even  more  clear- 
ly, than  in  the  refractive  mirror  of 
report.  I  ask  then  for  a  look  this  way. 
Where  is  the  person,  far  or  near,  who 
ever  saw  any  thing  in  his  appearance, 
or  conduct,  before  or  sigce  the  time 
referred  to,  which  gave  an^  impression 
that  he  was  under  the  authority  of  a 
tyrant  ^  Where  is  that  sinking  of 
countenance,  that  proneness  of  look, 
that  averting  of  the  sight,  that  dejec- 
tion of  spirits,  which  would  be  the  in- 
evitable result  of  tyranny.  The  very 
aspect  of  the  child,  to  wluch  I  appeal, 
would  be  more  satisfactory  on  this 
point,  to  a  careful  observer,  than  a 
hundred  witnesses.  He  shows  plainly, 
that  he  exists  in  the  society  of  those 
whose  surrounding  atmosphere  is  not 
repulsive,  but  attractive — not  depres- 
sing but  enlivening — not  retarding,  but 
quickening — not  degrading,  but  eleva- 
ting. 


112  AJf  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

I  appeal  to  the  petition  sent  forth  in 
the  agony  of  friendship,  from  my 
church  and  society,  '^  To  the  Hon- 
orable Justices  of  the  Superior  Court, 
and  Attorney  General  of  the  State  of 
New-Hampshjre. " 

And,  finally, — I  appeal  to  the  letters 
inserted  in  this  book,  from  persons 
best  acquainted  with  the  affair,  and 
from  relatives  of  the  child,  and  if  I 
am  not  acquitted,  I  am  willing  to  stand 
ehargod  of  all  the  guilt  with  which 
they  charge  me. 


MEANS  OF  UNDUE  EXCITEMENT. 

Among  the  means  of  undue  excite- 
ment  on  this  occasion,  I  would  enquire 
whether  we  may  not  mention  the  fol- 
lowing : 

1 .  Inconsistent  sympathy.  By  this  I 
mean,  a  sympathy  whicli  seems  to  be 
powerfully  awakened  by  a  severe  cor- 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  113 

rection,  but  scarcely  moved  by  all 
the  evils  which  attend  the  broad  way 
of  unyielding  stubbornness,  and  which 
thicken  upon  the  path,  till  they  accom- 
plish the  destruction  of  body  and  soul. 
By  inconsistent  sympathy,  I  also 
mean,  that  which  was  at  first  manifes- 
ted for  my  son,  by  persons  who  were 
afterwards  sorry  that  I  had  not  killed 
him. 

2.  The  want  of  due  regard  to  the 
influence  which  persons  exert,  inform- 
ing the  character  of  others,  and  in 
determining  their  future  destinies. 
•  God  hath  said,  that  one  sinner  de- 
stroyeth  much  good.  Evil  communi- 
';ations  corrupt  good  manners.  He 
diat  walketh  with  wise  men,  shall  be 
ivise  ;  but  a  companion  of  fools  shall 
be  destroyed. 

It   is   possible  that   some   have  not 
rightly  considered  these   things,  who 
have  loudly  complained  of  my  conduc 
in  correcting  my  son. 
10*"^ 


114         AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIK. 

3.  The  want  of  scriptural  love, 
such  as  God  feels  and  requires  for  chil- 
dren,  may  perhaps  be  mentioned  as 
another  reason  of  undue  excitement. 
*'He  that  spareth  his  rod,  hateth  his 
son  but  he  that  loveth  him  chasteneth 
him  betimes. 

4.  The  circumstance  that  I  am  a 
minister  of  the  gospel.  Is  not  this 
another  reason  why  reports  respecting 
me,  have  had  such  easy,  rapid,  exten- 
sive, imtired  and  untiring  circulation. 
Here  I  do  not  accuse,  but  inquire.  The 
innocent  will  not  be  offended  at  my  in- 
quiry. If  none  are  guilty,  none  will 
take  offence.  But  are  there  not  some 
persons  whose  candor  and  impartial- 
ity are  such  that  they  are  quite  as 
ready  and  willing*  to  believe  unfavor- 
able reports  respecting  ministers,  as 
other  men ;  and  give  themselves  as 
little  trouble  to  ascertain  the  tn^h  ^ 
Are  there  not  some,  -who,  for  obv  -  us 
reasons  had  rather  se€  a  minister  i"M|\, 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  11$ 

than  other  men  ?  Who  that  is  opposed 
to  ministers,  v/as  not  glad — -who  that 
hates  the  cause  of  missions,  has  not  re- 
joiced at  the  recent  reports  from  Ossi- 
pee? 

I  would  have  none  of  my  fellow  sin- 
ncrs  stumble,  or  fail,  or  perish,  over 
my  faults  or  my  frailties  ;  neither  if 
I  hav^e  any  virtues,  would  I  have  them 
misunderstood,  or  perverted  to  their 
injury.  Lei  none  take  occasion  from 
ray  conduct,  to  hurt  themselves,  or 
reproach  the  cause  of  Chrish.  Espec- 
ially, let  them  not  do  this,  v/hen  in 
symplicity  and  Godly  sincerity  I  am 
endeavoring  to  serve  the  Lord  Jesus, 
advance  his  cause,  and  bless  my  fellow 
men  ;  for,  in  such  a  case,  they  must 
receive  the  greater  detriment. 

5.  Disregard  of  the  scriptures,  has 
exerted  a  great  and  extensive  influence 
in  the  uncommon  excitement  we  have 


116  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

recently  experienced.  The  Lord,  for 
the  sentiments  of  His  word  upon  pa- 
rental chastisement,  as  on  other  subjets, 
has  been  arraigned  at  the  tribunal  of 
human  feelings.  And  when  he  is  thus 
arraigned,  shall  the  christian  minister 
be  afraid  or  ashamed,  or  blush,  or 
hesitate,  to  appear  on  the  side  of  his 
God,  though  all  earthly  and  unearthly 
powers  should  seem  to  be  arrayed 
against  him  ?  What  if  all  the  elements 
of  nature,  in  every  part  of  her  vast  do- 
main, should  thunder  and  lighten, 
above,  and  beneath,  and  all-around, 
and  with  most  augmented  force  con- 
centrate their  tempest  upon  his  head  ? 
He  has  a  more  sure  word  of  prophecy, 
whereunto  he  does  well  to  take  heed. 
And  those  who  give  earnest  heed  to 
this  sure  word  of  prophecy,  have  the 
privilege  of  saying,  Therefore  will 
not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be  re- 
moved, and  though  the  mountains  be 
carried    into   the    midst    of  the    sea, 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  117 

— though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and 
be  troubled  ;  though  the  mountains 
shake  with  the  swelling  thereof. 

When  the  Son  of  God  is  in  the  fur- 
nace, we  need  not  fear  to  enter  and  re- 
main there,  just  as  long  as  he  would 
have  us  ;  for  we  shall  not  only  come 
out  unhurt,  but  like  gold  purified 
seven  times.  His  favor  is  better  than 
life  :  and  we  should  prize  it  more  than 
human  friendship  and  human  life- 
His  frown  is  death  ;  and  we  should 
fear  it  more  than  all  human  frowns,  or 
any  sufferings  or  death  that  humanity, 
or  even  barbarity,  can  possibly  inflict. 


A  MUSICAL  INSTRUMESTT. 

There  is  one  string  in  this  curious 
and  complicated  instrument,    which 
has  been   occasionally   played  upon, 
and  16  found  to  give  forth  very  plain^ 
tive  and  pathetic  notes.     Although  my 


118         AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

skill  for  playing  may  not  be  very  good, 
yet  my  advantages  are  such,  that  1 
cannot  very  well  help  touching  it 
once  or  twice.  It  is  a  five-fold  chord, 
consisting  of  flesh  and  blood,  humani- 
ty sympathy,  and  parental  tenderness. 
Some  have  instituted  a  kind  of  com- 
parison between  my  parental  conduct 
and  theirs,  and  between  what  1  have 
done,  and  what  they  had  a  right  to  ex- 
pect of  me ;  and  having  taken  this 
stand,  they  begin  to  play  upon  the  in- 
strument. 

Their  fingers  drive  across  the  lyre, 
And  rapid  wing  electric  fire  ; 
With  plaintive  notes  the  air  is  filled, 
And  flashes  all  the  heavens  gild. 

Could  any  parent  whip  a  child  in 
such  a  manner  ?  Can  it  be  in  human 
nature  ?  Can  it  be  in  flesh  and  blood  ? 
Where  is  his  sympathy  ?  These  are 
the  pathetic  strains  from  the  five  fold 
musical  chord. 

Swift  arid  swifter  as  they  flew, 
Loud  and  louder  notes  they  drew 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  119 

O  that  I  could  play  upon  the  instru- 
ment half  as  well ;  but  I  merely  thought 
of  touching  it  here  and  there  after  this 
manner  : — Ye  tender  parents,  ye  sym- 
pathetic hearts,  where  is  your  tender- 
ness, and  where  your  sympathy,  when 
you  see  your  beloved  offspring  con- 
trolled by  childish  stubbornness  ;  ex- 
posed to  all  its  evils,  and  restrain  them 
not  ?  Does  their  mental  and  moral  im- 
provement lay  so  near  your  heart,  that 
you  devote  three  hours  daily  to  the 

»  iniitruction  of  each  of  them,  accompa- 
nied wuth  jirayer  to  God  for  his  bles- 
sing upon  your  labors  ?  Or  do  you 
ever  devote  this  portion  of  time  to  the 
mental  and  moral  improvement  of  ail 
you  have,  more  or  less  ?  If  you  do  not, 
I  must  be  permitted  to  touch  the  instru- 

,  ment  by  asking  : — Can  a  {)arent  treat 
his  dear  children  with  suc{i  neglect 
and  indifference  ?  Can  it  be  in  human 
nature  ?  Can  it  be  in  flesh  and  blood  ? 

i:  Where  is  your  tenderness  and  sympa- 


l^  A^  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

thy  ?  Alas  !  Hare  ye  also  become  bar- 
barians and  Turks  ?  It  really  seems  to 
rae  that  you,  like  myself,  have  neither 
tenderness  nor  sympathy  to  spare. 


CJORRECTION  SUITED  TO  A  PROMI- 
NENT CHARACTERISTIC  OF  HU- 
MAN NATURE, 

One  of  the  most  striking  and  prom- 
aent  oharacteristics  of  human  nature, 
35  a  dlspoaitioa  to  lje  independent,- — 
an  UHwillingness  to  submit  to  salutary 
^iontrol.  This  disposition  is  abundant- 
ly manifested  by  persons  of  every  age. 
The  child^  especially,  has  a  strong  dis- 
poisition  to  have  his  own  will,  without 
yielding  to  others  the  superiority  of 
being  able  and  disposed  to  do  better 
for  him,  than  he  can  do  for  himself. 
Children,  or  some  of  them  at  least,  are 
emphatically  self-wdlcd.  This  fool- 
bhness  is  bound  up  in  the  heart  of  a 
child  ;  and  God,  who  knows  the  hearty 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  191 

and  how  to  operate  upon  it  in  tli©  best 
manner,  has,  with  no  less  benevolence 
than  wisdom,  prescribed  the  rod  of 
correction  to  drive  it  far  from  him. 
God  has  also  directed  us  to  use  the  rod 
till  he  yields^ and  obeys  ;  without  giv- 
ing way  to  the  love,  tenderness  or  sym- 
pathy of  the  moment;  but  controlled 
rather  by  his  commands,  by  that  lasting 
sympathy  and  everlasting  love^  which 
regards  with  the  liveliest  tenderness, 
his  highest  happiness  and  usefulness  ; 
which  regards  the  redemption  of  his 
soul  forever,  and  by  him  the  souls  of 
others ;  and  embraces  every  measure 
to  save  immortal  beings  from  hell,  and 
exalt  them  to  heaven. 

Now,  my  impression  is,  that  other 
methods  of  correction  are  not  so  well 
calculated,  of  themselves,  to  break 
down  the  stubborn  will,  and  subdue 
obstinacy  to  obedience,  as  the  one  I 
adopted.  We  might  punish  a  mighty 
army  individually,  when  there  was  no 
11 


Ig2  A\  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

Special  anxiety  for  a  certain    object  in 
dispute,    or   strife  to  gain  a   favorite 
point  ;  or  we  might  do  tliem  many  and 
great    favors,  to   engage   their  affec- 
tions ;  we  might  operate   upon  their 
fears  and  awaken   their  love,   hoping 
to  awe  them  into  reverence  and  win 
them  to  obedience  ; — we  might  sweetly 
mingle  authority  and  tenderness,  com- 
mand and   entreaty   together,  hoping 
for  a  cordial  subjection  ;  yet  if  we  had 
Mcver  tried  our  strength,  skill  and  dc 
cision,  by  a  direct   encounter   in  the 
field  of  battle,  it  might  still  be  doubt 
ful  who   would  win  the  day,   if  they 
should  fairJy  and  determinate! y  under- 
take to  dispute  a  point,  for  which  all 
their  passions  were  enlisted,    and  all 
their  energies  awakened. 


SYMPATHY. 

Sympathy  is  a  property  of  our  com- 
mon nature,  of  which  I  trust  I  am  not 
entirely  destitutCo      It   was  exercised 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFIAR.  I  2S 

towards  iny  adopted  son,  in  a  degree 
painful  to  myselfj  even  at  a  time  and  in 
circumstances  in  which  I  have  been 
charged  with  the  greatest  cruelty  • ' 
Sympathy  for  him  I  surely  had ; 
though  it  was  not  that  which  would 
withhold  a  bitter  pill,  necessary  for 
his  good  ;  but  that  which,  by  the  sick- 
ness^of  a  day,  would  obtain  the  health 
of  years.  It  was  that  which  would  ex- 
tract a  thorn,  to  prevent  the  lockjaw  ; 
that  which  would  choose  a  boil,  if  it 
might  prevent  a  cancer — that  which 
would  open  an  issue,  to  preserve  the 
reason  and  prevent  distraction — that 
which  would  let  blood,  to  prevent  in- 
flamation  of  the  brain — that  which 
would  make  an  incision,  to  prevent 
mortification — that  which  would  afflict 
the  body,  to  save  the  soul — that  which 
w'ould  press  the  unyielding  demands 
of  reason  for  a  day,  to  prevent  the 
everlasting  exactions  and  accusations  of 
a  guilty  conscience,  and  save  from  the 


124         AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

worm  that  never  dies,  and  the  fire  that 
shall  never  he  quenched.  In  short,  it 
was  that  which  would  have  one  whip- 
ping answer  for  fifty ;  or  two  for  a 
hundred — that  which,  by  the  efficacy 
of  one,  would  prevent  the  rest. 


FALSEHOOD  AND  TRUTH. 

Falsehood  is  a  carniverous  bird,  of 
most  disordered  stomach  and  vicious 
appetite — of  rapid  wing,  but  ever  de- 
vious course — changing  according  to 
the  state  of  the  air  and  every  fitful  cur- 
rent of  the  breeze,  seeing  the  best  in  the 
dark,  and  delighting  most  in  the  air 
filled  with  dust  and  smoke — loving  to 
rise  in  the  whirlwind  and  descend  in 
the  tempest ;  that,  in  the  mighty  con- 
fusion of  elements,  she  may  seize,  with 
less  danger  of  detection,  either  the  in- 
Mocent  or  the  guilty  ;  but  delighting 
most  of  all  in  the  flesh   of  thos*',   wh# 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  125 

have  felt  mosrdeeply  the  mildew  and 
the  blast  of  calumny  ;  or  who  have 
been  bruised  by  hard  misfortune,  or 
falling  far.  She  is  eagle-eyed,  yet  often 
blind ;  seeing  where  there  is  nothing 
to  be  seen,  and  knowing  where  there 
is  nothing  to  be  known.  She  is  hasty, 
where  truth  is  cautious ;  positive, 
where  truth  is  doubtful  ;  depending 
upon  herself,  where  truth  v/ould  have 
witnesses  ;  averting  her  sight,  where 
jruth  examines  ;  ready  to  accuajj.  and 
qdick  to  condemn.  She  is  DofoFand 
blustefcg,  where  .truth  is  modest  and 
unassuming.  She  is  offensive  and  di.^- 
gusting  ;  while  truth  is  amiable  and  in- 
viting. She  is  loved  where  truth  is 
hated  ;  and  hated  where  truth  is  loved . 
She  is  rapid,  where  truth  is  slow  ;  and 
slow,  where  truth  is  swift.  She  will 
die  where  truth  lives  ;  and  her  death 
ir,  every  where  certain,  for  truth  will 
never  die. 

However    rapidly    or     extensively 
11* 


126  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

falsehood  has  gone  abroad,  it  has  not 
gone  so  fast  or  so  far,  that  it  cannot  h^ 
overtaken  and  put  down.  Truth,  with\# 
longer  wings,  and  stronger  pinions, 
and  surer  flight,  has  ascended  on  high  ; 
and,  sped  by  the  breath  of  heaven,  see- 
ing with  an  all  searching  eye,  and  pro- 
tected by  an  Almighty  hand,  she  is  cer- 
tain to  overtake  falsehood,  come  upon 
the  back,  lay  heavy  upon  the  wings, 
and  bring  her  to  the  ground  ;  where 
fair  battle  shall  be  fought,  and  victo- 
ry pressed  on,  till  falsehood  shall  hate 
neither  wings  nor  feathers,  nor  head 
or  heart,  but,  rent  in  ten  thousand  pie- 
ces, and  disshevelled  in  the  breeze, 
shall  be  neither  found,  nor  heard  of, 
except  by  those  sharpsighted  yet  most 
pitiable  creatures,  that  delight  infilth, 
feed  upon  carrion,  and  fatten  upon  the 
most  putrid  and  noxious  substances. 


# 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  lJ87 

MY  PEOPLE. 

Some  feel  deeply  interested  to  know- 
how  this  strange  occurrence  is  likely 
to  affect  that  union,  harmony  and 
love,  which  has  prevailed  between 
myself  and  my  people.  What  will  be 
its^naZ  result  in  this  respect,  I  will 
not  now  undertake  to  say  ;  though  I 
may  doubtless  have  the  privilege  of 
thinking  and  believing  for  myself. 

As  to  the  present  state  of  feelings  on 
my  part,  I  should  think  it  was  just  like 
this  : 

I'm  fast  to  them 

And  they  to  me, 

As  curling  vines 

Around  their  tree. 

If  one  is  taken, 

Both  will  go, 

To  jail  or  gibbet, 

Joy  or  woe. 

And  to  this  I  hear,  or  seem  to  hear. 


12&  AN    ASTONISHING  AFFAIR 

from  one  and  another,  and  from  many, 
a  most  hearty  response,  like  this  : 

I'm  fast  to  him. 
And  he  to  me, 
As  curling  vines 
Around  their  tree. 
If  one  is  talcen. 
Both  will  go, 
To  jail  or  gibbet, 
Joy  or  woe. 

My  people  resemble  the  four  things, 
mentioned  in  Proverbs,  which  are  lit- 
tip  upon  the  earth  but  wise.  Like  the 
ants,  though  a  people  not  strong, 
yet  they  prepare  their  meat  in  the 
summer.  Like  the  conies,  though  but 
a  feeble  folk,  yet  make  they  their  hous- 
es in  the  rocks.  Like  the  locusts,  they 
go  forth  by  bands.  Like  the  spider, 
they  take  hold  with  their  hands  and 
are  in  the  king's  paJace. 

I  am  free  to  acknowledge,  and  I 
would  do  it  with  gratitude,  that  in  this 
retired  spot,  in  this  wilderness,  and 
among  these  mountains,  here  is  a  prec- 


AN  ASTONISHING   AFFAIR.  129 

ious  and  peculiar  people,  whom  I  love 
in  the  truth.  It  is  a  little  flock,  but  it 
is  the  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give 
them  the  kingdom.  They  are  weak 
in  themselves,  but  strong  in  the  Lord. 
They  are  firm,  decided  and  afiection- 
ate.  And  after  the  experience  of  this 
severe  trial,  if  the  armies  of  Gog  and 
Magog  come  up  upon  all  the  breadth 
of  the  earth  to  battle,  and  compass 
their  camp  about,  I  have  no  fears  that 
they  will  desert  me,  or  be  driven  from 
my  side.  Nay,  if  I  must  go  to  prison 
for  conscience'  sake,  they  will  go  with 
me.  If  I  must  go  to  the  stake,  they 
will  follow  me.  Our  chief  danger  is, 
from  the  fires  kindled  and  fed  by  the 
various  materials  of  combustion,  and 
fanned  by  the  pestilential  breeze.  No 
danger  from  blood,  or  stripes,  breth- 
ren ;  for  the  community  have  shrunk 
back  affrighted,  shuddering  with  tre- 
mendous and  inexpressible  horror,  ev- 
en at  the  sound  of  stripes. 


130         AN   ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

But  let  it  be  known  to  all  the  armies, 
of  the  Lord  God  of  hosts,  that  her^ 
we  have  a  company  of  veteran  troops, 
who  are  firm^  decided  and  intrepid  in 
the  field,  and  skilful  in  the  day  of  bat- 
tle. Blessed  be  the  day  that  saw  our 
ynion  ;  and  that  too  which  proved  our 
acquaintance. 

"  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 
Our  hearts  in  christian  love  ; 
The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds, 
Is  like  to  that  above." 


EFFECTS  OF  AFFLICTION. 

I  can  now,  better  than  ever  before, 
enter  with  sympathy  into  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  apostles  and  martyrs  in 
their  persecutions  and  imprisonments 
for  conscience'  sake.  The  accounts  of 
these  things  appear  in  a  new  light,  and 
come  home  to  the  heart  with  life  and 
power,  awakening  a  peculiar  and  thril- 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  ISl 

ling  interest.  J  am  asisisted  by  my 
late  experience,  in  rejoicing  with  them 
that  rejoice,  and  in  weeping  with  those 
that  weep. 

I  feel  that  nothing  in  the  whole  his- 
tory of  my  life  ever  occurred,  for 
which  I  have  so  much  reason  to  ren- 
der present  and  everlasting  thanksgiv- 
ing to  God,  as  for  this  severe  triak 
Oh  !  if  I  forsake  him  now  ;  if  my 
heart  does  not  cleave  to  him  and  to 
his  cause,  as  it  cleaves  to  life  ;  if  I  am 
not  found  faithful  unto  death,  I  shall 
be  guilty  beyond  any  common  meas- 
ure. If  I  do  not  greatly  improve  in 
such  a  school  as  "this,  I  must  be  far 
less  teachable,  and  much  more  stub- 
born, than  my  adopted  son.  Among 
other  things,  I  have  learneil  to  be  cau- 
tious ;  I  must  look  the  second  time, 
even  at  smiles,  to  see  if  they  are  not 
hollow  ;  and  at  professions  of  friend- 
ship, to  see  if  they  are  not  unsound. 
I  have  been  practically  taught,  not  to 


158  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

reckon  every  thing  gold  which  shines. 
I  know  the  vanity  of  popular  applause; 
the  emptiness  of  honor,  and  the  false 
glare  of  the  world. 

"  Lean  not  on  earth — 

'Twiii  pierce  thee  to  the  heart." 

But  if  we  take  hold  above  with  the 
hand  of  faith,  and  embrace  the  Savior 
witii  a  heart  of  love,  we  may  then 

"•Bid  earth  roll  on 

Nor  heed  its  idle  whirl." 
•'  'Tis  Jesus  fills  our  hearts  below 
With  holy  faith  and  fervent  love  : 
From  Jesus  all  our  joy  shall  flow, 
In  the  blest  realms  of  light  above. 
Jesus,  his  love,  his  grace,  his  name, 
Pour  gladness  round  the  h-eavenly  throng  ; 
These  all  their  golden  harps  proclaim  ; 
These  swell  the  notes  of  every  song." 

The  lessons  which  I  have  learned  in 
this  school  of  affliction,  are  not  few, 
or  of  small  importance.  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  with- 
in me,  bless  his  holy  name  ;  and  not 
less  for  severe  trials,  than  for  prosperi- 
ty.    For  the  deep  recesses  of  affliction 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  133 

and  the  dungeon  of  adversity,  are  as 
near  the  feet  of  Christ,  as  the  mount 
of  prosperity  or  the  pinnacle  of  fame. 
He  is  a  present  help  in  every  time  of 
trouble.  Oh  !  What  reason  have  I 
to  trust  him  for  all  that  I  need  ;  and 
to  depend  upon  him  for  whatever  he 
has  caused  me  to  hope.  How  guilty 
must  I  be  to  forsake  him  now  ;  and  yet 
I  fear  I  shall.  How  little  confidence 
can  I  place  in  myself,  or  in  any  human 
being.  Now  I  have  special  need  of 
divine  support  and  assistance  ;  for  now 
is  the  time  to  glorify  God,  and  to  be 
an  example  of  the  believers  in  word, 
in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit, 
in  faith,  in  purity^  Now  is  the  time 
to  preach  meekness  and  gentleness,  and 
faith  and  patience. 

"  Let  pride  and  wrath  be  banished  hence. 
Meekness  and  love  my  soul  pursue  ;'* 
Thus  may  I  follow  Christ  my  Lord, 
Where  he  is  gone,  there  may  I  go. 
And  I  am  sure  that  my  way  thither, 

1    4* 


134  A!^  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

though  it  lead  through  the  court  and 
the  jail,  oiicnsive  as  these  names  are  to 
the  christian  minister,  will  not  be  so 
rough  and  painful,  as  that  trodden  by 
my  Lord  and  hi«  apostles.  It  is 
through  much  tribulation  that  we  must 
enter  the  kingdom  ;  for  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  suffereth  \'ioIence,  and  the 
violent  take  it  by  fc*rce.  But  the 
weapons  of  warfare  are  not  carnal, 
thongh  mighty  througli  God,  to  the 
pulling  down  of  strong  holds  ;  casl- 
ing  down  imaginations  ;  disappointing 
the  devices  of  the  crafty,  and  making 
diviners  mad.  It  is  not  for  christians 
and  ministers,  to  be  angry  and  seek  re- 
venge. Vengeance  is  mine  ;  I  will  re- 
pay, saith  the  Lord.  The  Lord  shall 
cut  off  all  flattering  lips  ;  and  the  tongue 
that  speaketh  proud  things  ;  who  have 
said,  with  our  tongue  will  we  prevail ; 
our  lips  arc  our  own  t  Who  is  Lord 
over  us  ?  For  the  sighing  of  the  needy 
will  I  arise,  saith  the  Lord  ;  I  will  set 


A??  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  133 

him  in  safety  from  him  that  puffeth  at 
him. 


CERTAIN  IMPRESSIONS. 

There  are  certain  distinct  and  strong 
impressions  which  I  have  had  from 
very  early  life,  and  which  have  doubt- 
less exerted  their  own  appropriate  in- 
fluence in  my  domestic  administra- 
tions. As  little  experience  as  I  have 
had  in  any  thing  of  a  parental  charac- 
ter, 1  have  felt  but  few  things  morb 
forcibly,  than  the  great  contrast  I  would 
have  exhibited  in  the  exercise  of  fam- 
ily goverment,  between  I  lie  v/ay  of 
obedience  asid  disobedience,  T  would 
have  the  ways  so  distinct  and  distant, 
and  the  way  marks  and  mementos  so 
many,  expressive,  and  striking,  sur* 
rounding  and  assailing,  in  every  place, 
and  at  all  times,   every  principal  and 


186         AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR 

passion,  in  such  a  manner  that  the 
child  should  never  be  in  doubt  where 
he  was,  or  wliither  he  would  go.  In 
the  path  of  disobedience,  I  would  have 
gathered,  and  in  lively  exercise,  every 
thing  that  is  repulsive,  unpleasant  and 
discouraffing.  But  I  would  have  eve- 
ry  thing  lovely,  attractive,  support- 
ing, encouraging  and  animating,  exert- 
ing all  their  benign  and  heavenly  influ- 
ence, in 

THE  PATH  OF  OBEDIENCE. 

Here  I  would  have  affection's  soft- 
ness displayed,  and  all  the  attractions 
of  parental  tenderness  and  benevolence 
exerted ;  and  every  countenance  of 
the  family  glowing  with  the  smile  of 
approbation.  Let  the  way  be  animat- 
ed with  hopes,  never  disappointed, — 
and  with  promises  always  fulfilled  in 
their  season. 

'•  Closely  draw  domestic  ties, 

Form  the  dear  domestic  round** 
Thus  ••  suspending  grief  awhile. 


iiN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR,  1S7 

Let  the  plenteous  board  be  crowned  » 

And  the  v.ife's  endearing  smile. 

Beam  a  rosy  welcome  round. 
Join  the   ring,  ye  gi-ls  and  bofy&. 

This  enchanting  circle,  thisj 
Binds  the  social  icves  and  joys, 

'Tis  the  fairy  ring  of  bliss  !" 

I  wouIJ  Ivdve  the  path  of  obedience 
carpeted  with  velvet,  and  surrounded 
with  flowers.  Here  1  would  have  eve- 
ry odor  froiT^  the  four  quarters  of  the 
globe,  pour  in  their  fragrance.  I 
would  arch  it  from  East  to  West,  and 
from  pole  to  pole,  with  one  continuous 
and  expanded  rainbow.  And  I  would 
inset  and  bespangle  the  arch  through- 
out, with  ail  tlie  ^cars  and  moons  and 
suns  of  the  imi  v  erse.  And  I  would 
open  up  a  way  of  access  to  the  mercy 
seat— even  to  the  Emperaeumj  '^  where 
burning  seraphs  bow  before  the  eter- 
nal throriC."  And  I  v/ould  present  God 
throughout  the  way,  ever  present  to 
view,  enrobed  in  all  the  infinite  and 
superlative  glories  of  his  Deity,  look 
12* 


233  a5  ASTONISHING  AFFAIK. 

ing  down  on  tlic  traveller  below,  with 
that  favor  which  is  life,  and  that   lov- 
ing kindness  which  is  better  than   life. 
And  from  above,  and  from  before,  and 
throughout  his  way,  I  would  have  his 
path  shining   more  and   more, — Jesus 
displaying  his  grace  and  offering   his 
mediation — the  Spirit  and   the    bride 
saying    come — the   portals  of  heaven 
opening,  and  presenting  such   goodly 
prospects   and   enchanting   sounds,  as 
eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear   heard,   nor 
the  heart   of  man   conceived.     As   he 
approaches  tliithcr,  I  would  have  him 
hailed  by  ten  thousand  times  ten  thou- 
sand tongues,  bidding  him  welcome — 
a  thousand  times  welcome  to  the  abodes 
of  bliss — and  pouring  forth  their  hal- 
lelujahs before  the  Father  of  his  spirit. 
With   rapture  would  I^have  his  eyes 
behold  the  Saviour,  seated  upon  the 
throne,    invested  with  all  his  glory, 
holding  out  to  him  the  sceptre  of  his 
love  ;  and,  in  strains  more  fullof  mel- 


Alf  ASTOyiSHir^G  AFFAIR.  139 

ody  than  all  heaven  besides,  sayinff, — 
Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit 
the  kingdom  j)repared  for  you  from 
the  foundation  of  tlie  world.  And  I 
would  have  his  joy  go  an  eternal 
roundj  increasing  at  every  step — rising 
higher  and  higher  without  diminution 
and  without  end.  Such  an  aspect, 
would  I  have  the  path  of  obedience 
bear  in  its  commencement — in  its  pro- 
gress, and  in  its  termination  in  that 
higli  and  holy  place,  wheneGod  sheds 
forth  the  abundance  of  his  glory,  and 
lightens  i-  above  the  brightness  of  the 
BUD.  with  his  own  immediate  presence. 


THE  PATH  OF  DISOBEDIENCE. 

I  would  have  this  path  rendered  try- 
ing, uncomfortable  and  forbidding,  by 
the  loss  of  privileges  and  favors,  smiles 
and   tokens    of    friendship^ — by     the 


140  AN  ASTCMSHING  APFAIE, 

humbling  oi  pride,  and  by  restraints 
opon  suitable  indulgences — by  denials 
and  neglects — by  indifference  and  re- 
pulsive justice— by  the  loss  of  honor 
and  kind  remembrcUice — ^by    apparent 
suspicion  and  distrust—b}^  the  unyield^ 
ing  frown  of   disap|)ro.bation — by   an 
aspect  foreboding  fsarful  but  righteous 
indignation — and  by  the  execution  of 
all  suitable  penalties  v*.Bd  punishments. 
Thus  would  I  rear   across  the  path 
of  disobedience,  a   wall   whose    base 
should  rest   upon  earth's  centre,  and 
whose  top  should   reach  to  heaven  — 
one  which  no  pride  should  scale,  nor 
all  enduring  obstinacy   imdermine    or 
penetrate.     I     would    have    the   way 
rough,  and  dark,  and  dreary,  and  des- 
olate,  and    slippery,    and    cold,  and 
cheerless ;    exhibiting    fearful     sights 
and  great   signs,  exciting  shuddering, 
and  horror,  and  vexation  ;  that  who- 
ever heaves  in  sight,  might  turn  from 
it  and  pass  away.    I  would  plant   it 


AK  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  141 

with  thorns  under  foot,  and  hang  it 
with  swords  by  hairs  over  head.  On 
either  side  I  would  have  loud  thun- 
ders utter  their  voices,  and  fierce  light- 
nings biaze.  At  the  very  entrance,  I 
would  have  the  whirlwind  confuse, 
and  the  tempest  beat.  Thither  I  would 
have  the  hurricane  sweep,  and  the  tor- 
nado roar  ! 

I  w^ould  have  the  reins  of  parental 
government  held  firm  and  steady, 
tightening  when  the  subject  is  refracto- 
ry but  yielding  when  mild. 

For  these  different  representations 
of  different  paths,  I  have  the  sanction 
of  the  word  of  God.  By  this,  these 
different  ways  are  presented  in  all  the 
vivid  colors,  and  flowing  imagery,  of 
most  striking  contrast.  One  is  irrad- 
iated with  all  the  splendor  of  light  and 
effulgence  of  glory,  like  that  of  the 
sun  shining  in  his  strength.  Here  all 
the  beauties  of  the  rain  bow  diffuse 
their  exquisite   charms.    Here  when- 


142  AN  ASTO^^ISHINQ  AFFAIR, 

ever  the  ear  is  open  and  the  hear^. 
awake,  may  bo  heard,  day  and  night, 
all  the  music  of  the  sweetest  strains, 
and  the  softest  melodies, — the  most 
thrilling  harmonies  and  touching  tones, 
ever  made  by  natural  or  supernatural 
voices,  or  ever  circulated  in  the  atmos- 
phere of  earth  or  heaven. 

But  the  other  way,  the  word  of  God 
preseiits,  as 

•'  Horrible  on  all  sides  round  ; 

As  one  great  furnace  flamed,  yet  from    those 

flamus, 
No  light,  but  lather  darkness  visible. 
Served  only  to  discover  sights  of  wo, 
Regions  ofsorrow,  doleful  shada?,  where  peace 
And  rest  can  never  dwell,    hope  never  comes 
That  comes  to  all,'* — 


TO  THE  BRETHREN. 

0  ye  followers  of  Christ,  ye  breth- 
ren in  the  Lord, — while  you  and  I, 
and  others,   liave   seen  Zion   afflicted  ^ 


i.1.    ASTONiSHiNG  AFFAIR.  143 

and  suffering,  we  have  wept.  But  the 
tempest  we  hope  is  past,  and  a  heaven- 
ly calm  is  settling  down  upon  us.  Our 
sky  is  clearer,  and  the  air  more  salu- 
brioii.3.  But  let  nothing  lull  us  to 
«leep,  le:>t  Satan  get  the  advantage  of 
u.s,  and   oui*  last  state  he  worse  than 

;  CvM,  O  let  us  take  heed  to  our- 
seivas,  and  to  all  our  duty.  Let  the 
past  arrest  onr  fears,  and  tiie  future 
animate  our  Iiopes.  Let  every  thing 
from  above,  and  from  beneath,  and  all 
arou'-id,  quicken  us  in  watchfnlne33  and 
prayer,  til  At  we  may  ho  ready  for  an- 
other  onset  more  fjurful  Umn  the  one 
we  have  recently  experienced.  And 
then,  hi  tlie  strength  of  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  and  on  the  fields  oi  Zion,  hav- 
ing on  the  whole  armor  of  God,  and 
Handing  Arm  on  truth  and  duty,  we 
will  give  the  enemy  battle,  ward  otT 
the  enemy's  shock,  or  direct  it  over 
our  heads. 

But  now,  bretliren,  whatever  rocks 


144  AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

and  shoals,  or  whirlpools,  have  been 
discovered,  on  either  side  of  the  way 
we  have  traversed  on  the  mighty  deep, 
in  this  tempestuous  season,  they  must 
be  remembered  with  gratitude  to  God; 
now  that  he  has  guided  us  safely 
through,  that  for  the  future  we  may 
be  less  exposed  to  shipwreck  than  ev- 
er. 

We  sometimes  think  it  best  to  use 
severe  measures  with  our  children,  to 
bring  them  to  a  right  state  of  feeling 
and  course  of  action  ;  but  whenever 
our  heavenly  Father,  with  more  than 
parental  sympathy  and  tenderness, 
takes  this  course  with  us,  we  soon  be- 
gin to  tremble  and  cry  out  that  the  rod^ 
is  too  large,  or  crooked,  or  knotty, 
and  fear  that  he  will  use  it  too  long, 
or  fast,  or  hard,  and  we  rather  escape 
immediately  from  his  hand,  than  to 
endure  the  chastisement  of  his  sons 
and  daughters,  and  be  subject,   in  all 


IN  ASTONISHmC  AFFAIR.  i4S 

its  extend,  to  the  most  excellent   disci- 
pline of  our  Father's  family. 

When  temptations,  foes  and  storms 
assail  you,  brethren,  then  is  the  time 
to  gather  up  your  loins,  like  men  and 
christians,  and  to  be  strong  in  the 
Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his  might. 
Then  is  the  time  to  give  faith  the 
height  and  depth  ;  the  length  and 
breadth  ;  the  strength  and  compass, 
of  the  most  noble,  determined  and 
persevering  resistance.  If  you  have 
planted  your  feet  firm  upon  the  plat- 
form of  God's  word,  always  maintain 
your  standing  without  wavering;  suf- 
fering, praying  and  acting  like  chris- 
tians ;  holding  on  above,  and  looking 
for  the  salvation  of  God,  till  it  comp- 
— or  you  die  upon  the  spot,  and  ascend 
to  heaven. 

When  the  ground  on  which  we  stand 

is  that  of  truth  and  duty,  shall  we  ask 

the  pardon   of  any   one  for   standing 

there  ■     Nay,  for  this  we  eannot  aik 

13 


"s^ 


146         IN  ASTOJflSHINCt  ArFAIR. 

the  pardon  of  God.  Shall  we  insult 
him,  by  asking  his  pardon  for  obey- 
ing his  commands,  or  for  doing  our 
duty  ?  Nay,  in  this  we  trust  hirh, 
rather.  For  if  our  hearts  condemn 
us  not,  then  have  we  confidence  to- 
wards God.  And  if  we  find  ourselves 
in  difficulty  at  any  time,  by  pursuing 
the  path  of  obedience,  we  are  to  trust 
God  for  our  escape. 

If  we  have  any  enemies,  and  they 
wish  to  humble  us  in  ourselves,  and 
exalt  us  before  God,  let  them  make  an- 
other such  onset,  and  if  our  depravity 
is  not  in  a  measure  subdued  by  it,  our 
pride  humbled,  our  faith  strengthened, 
the  favor  and  the  glory  of  God  dis- 
played around  us,  it  will  be  because 
they  make*  their  assault  u$)on  some  pact 
of  our  character  where  we  are  vulner- 
able, and  have  not  on  the  armor  of 
truth. 

If   any  of  our  fellow  sinners,  our 
brethren  in  the  human  family,   will 


AN  ASTONISHINe  AFFAIR.  147 

«iot  unite  with  us  in  the  worship  and 
service  of  God,  we  will  certainly  make 
no  harder  request  of  them  than  this, 
that  they  let  us  alone  ;  and  for  this, 
we  will  not  be  very  anxious  ;  for  God, 
who  is  wiser  than  man,  may  see  it  to 
be  most  for  our  good  a:ad  his  glory, 
that  they  should  afilict  us.  For  it  is 
possible  that  in  trying  to  upset  us,  they 
may  set  us  up. 

If  any  of  us  have  passed  through 
this  furnace  of  fire,  heated  seven  times 
liotter  than  usual,  and  it  be  discovered 
that  not  a  hair  of  the  head  is  singed, 
or  the  smell  of  fire  passed  upon  us, 
let  us  not  forget,  that  it  was  because 
of  the  presence  of  one,  like  unto  the 
Son  of  God. 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS. 

1.  How  important  that   all   shauld 
give  more  earnest  heed  to  that  divine 


148         AN    AITONISHING  AB:FArR 

admonition,  Let  your  moderation  be 
known  to  all  men.  This  is  equally 
important  in  relation  to  feelings  actings 
and  helievmg.  If  all  had  duly  attended 
to  this  admonition,  how  much  dreadful 
excitement ;  how  much  wickedness 
and  distress,  might  have  been  prevent- 
ed. There  are  times,  and  there  are  per- 
sons and  things,  in  relation  to  which 
we  should  always  be  slow  of  heart  to 
believe,  and  moderate  in  feeling  and 
in  acting. 

I"'  2.  On  an  occasion  like  the  present, 
we  learn  who  are  willing  to  be  known 
as  our  friends,  when  it  is  unpopular 
to  be  on  our  side.  No  thanks,  in  point 
of  real  friendship,  to  the  man  who  is 
on  your  side  only  when  the  current  of 
popular  opinion  sets  strong  iu  your  fa- 
vor. He  passes  on  with  the  current, 
without  effort  or  resistance.  But  to 
take  a  firm  and  decided  stand  on  your 
side,  when  the  current,  and  the  tide, 
and  the  winds,   and  the   waves,   beat 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  149 

against  you  and  against  mm, — this  re- 
quires friendship — firm,  precious,  en- 
dearing friendship. 

S.  From  this  subject,  ministers  and 
missionaries  may  learn  to  expect  almost 
any  thing,  and  every  thing,  that  is 
evil.  Their  purest  motives,  and  most 
virtuous  actions,  have  no  security  from 
misrepresentation  and  perversion.  But 
we  know  who  hath  said,  "  The  disci- 
ple is  not  above  his  Master,  nor  the 
servant  above  his  Lord."  "  It  is  enough 
for  the  disciple  that  he  be  as  his  Mas- 
ter, and  the  servant  as  his  Lord."  If 
they  have  called  the  Master  of  the 
house  Beelzebub,  how  much  more  shall 
they  call  them  of  his  kousehold  ?  If 
the  world  hate  you  ye  know  that  it  ha- 
ted me  before  it  hated  you.  If  ye  were 
of  the  world,  the  world  would  love  its 
own  ;  but  because  ye  are  not  of  the 
world,  but  I  have  chosen  you  out  of 
the  world,  therefore  the  world  hateth 
you.  Remember  the  word  that  I  said 
13- 


160         AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

unto  yoa,  The  servant  is  not  greater 
than  his  Lord.  If  they  have  persecu- 
ted me,  they  will  also  persecute  you  ; 
if  they  have  kept  my  sayings,  they 
will  keep  yours  also.  But  all  these 
things  will  they  do  unto  you,  for  my 
name-sake,  because  they  know  not  him 
that  sent  me." 

But  for  our  consolation,  it  is  writ- 
ten, if  we  suffer  with  him,  we  shall 
also  be  glorified  together.  And,  with 
the  great  apostle,  we  may  well  reckon 
that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time, 
are  not  worthy  to  be  compiired  witbl 
the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed. 

4.  From  this  subject,  all  who  enlist 
in  the  cause  of  Christ  may  learn  the 
importance  of  being  better  equipped 
than  they  usually  enter  the  field. 

There  is  much  to  be  done.  The 
contest  may  be  long,  and  mighty,  and 
painful.  We  therefore  need  all  the 
armor  with  which  God  has  furnished 
us,  and  to  use  it  as  he  has  directed  us. 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  15f 

If  we  do  this,  we  may  know  for  our 
comfort,  that  all  things  shall  work  to- 
gether for  our  good — that  nothing 
shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ 
— that  we  shall  come  off  conquerors, 
and  more  than  conquerors,  through 
him  that  loved  us  and  gave  himself 
for  us. 

The  sources  of  annoyance  to  the, 
christian  minister,  are  multiform  and 
never  failing.  AH  the  elements  of  hu- 
man depravity,  and  all  the  powers  of 
darkness,  arc  against  him.  He  must 
not  think  that  they  will  slumber  or 
sleep.  But  he  must  expect  that  sooner 
or  later,  and  more  or  less  frequently, 
all  their  ever  active  energies  will  be 
aroused,  and  put  forth,  in  mighty,  vi- 
olent and  long  continued  efforts,  against 
him  and  the  church  of  Christ. 

But  while  we  are  called  upon  to  re- 
member that  we  have  enemies  for 
Christ's  sake,  we  must  not  indulge  feel- 
ings of     liardness  ;    but   cherish  for 


15S  AN  ASTONISHINa  ArFAIR.        , 

them  the  feelings  of  Christ,  and  culti- 
vate the  spirit  of  the.gospel.  We  must 
bless  them,  that  curse  us  ;  do  good  to 
them  that  hate  us,  and  pray  for  them 
which  despitefully  use  us  and  perse- 
cute us.  Like  the  great  apostle  we 
must  be  able  to  say.  ''  Being  reviled, 
we  bless  ;  being  persecuted,  we  suffer 
it  ;  being  defamed,  we  entreat.  We 
must  be  willing,  if  the  will  of  the 
Lord  be  so,  to  be  counted  as  the  filth 
of  the  world,  and  the  ofFscouring  of 
all  things,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus. — Yea. 
we  must  rejoice  to  be  counted  worthy 
to  suffer  shame  for  his  sake. 

5.  The  subject  admonishes  us  to  be 
on  our  guard  aoainst  undue  excite- 
ment  bj^  sympathy.  It  is  lovely, 
praiseworthy  and  of  good  report,  to 
see  man  awake  to  all  the  wants,  and 
woes,  and  joys,  of  his  fellow  man- -to 
see  him,  with  the  kindest  and  most 
tender  sympathy,  entering  into  the 
condition  of    others  ;  rejoicing  with 


IN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  l^H 

them  that  rejoice,  and  weeping  with 
them  that  weep.  But  the  fact  that 
sympathy  is  a  property  which  we  pos- 
sess in  common  with  the  brute  creation, 
is,  of  itself,  sufiicient  to  teach  us  that 
it  is  not  our  guide.  Wc  have  a  guide 
more  elevated,  distinguishing  and  sub- 
lime. It  is  the  brighte  gift  of  heaven 
— the  image  of  the  invisible  God — the 
infusion  and  inspiration  of  the  om- 
niscient miud.  This  guidej  is  reason 
and  religion,  in  union  and  harmony. 
"  United  they  stand  ;  divided  they 
fall."  Our  sympathies  they  should 
guide — our  passions  control.  But 
if  either  sympathy  or  passion  obtain 
the  ascendency — if  we  give  ourselves 
up  to  the  impulse  and  control  of  ei- 
ther, reason  is  thwarted  in  her  opera- 
tions, the  understanding  is  perverted, 
and  religion  dethroned.  We  take 
both  Scylla  and  Charybdis  in  our 
course,  and  we  are  shipwrecked  mar- 
iners on  the  ocean  of  human   feelings ; 


\b4         AN  ASTOWISHIN&  AFFAIR. 

recicving  the  storm  from  the  shore, 
and  the  mountain  waves  from  the 
deep  ;  exposed  to  the  lightnings  from 
Above,  and  the  monsters  from  beneath. 
Peal  after  peal  is  heard,  and  surge  af- 
mr  surge  is  felt. 

There  are  times,  when  all  the  foun- 
mins  of  sympathy  are  broken  up,  and 
pour  forth  in  an  overwhelming  tor- 
rent, deep,  and  large,  and  violent ; 
suffreing  neither  reason,  understand- 
ing nor  religion,  to  do  their  office  ; 
sparing  neither  age,  nor  sex,  nor  rank 
—unmerciful  alike,  to  the  objects  that 
awaken  compassion,  and  call  forth  re- 
venge ;  cruel  as  the  grave  to  one,  and 
not  less  cruel  to  the  other.  Sympathy 
thus  unrestrained,  and  thus  operating  is 
terrible  in  its  effects,  and  should  be  as 
carefully  avoided,  as  the  imdue  excite- 
ment  of  any  of  the  baser  passions. 

6.  God's  designs  and  dispensations, 
though  to  us  often  dark  and  mysteri- 
ous, are  in  reality  always  wise  and  be- 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  t*6 

ncTolent,  accomplishing  the  greatest 
good  for  his  people,  in  the  best  man- 
ner. The  cloud  which  to  us  may  ap- 
pear charged  witli  a  tempest,  too  dread- 
ful to  be  borne,  may  contain  the  rich- 
est and  most  numerous  blessings.  They 
will  descend  in  the  best  time  and  man- 
ner, though  it  may  be  at  a  different 
time,  and  in  a  different  manner,  from 
what  we  should  have  chosen,  or  have 
anticipated.  And  our  subject  certain- 
ly furnishes  encouragement  to  the  peo- 
ple of  God  to  trust  in  him,  even  in  the 
darkest  time,  if  they  are  confident  of 
being  in  the  path  of  duty,  and  desire 
above  all  things  else  to  walk  in  it. 

To  be  a  diligent  and  devout  student 
in  affliction,  is  more  important  than 
prayer  for  deliverance.  It  comports 
better  with  our  own  good,  and  the 
glory  of  God.  This  is  a  point  of  vast 
importance,  in  all  the  troubles  and  tri- 
als we  meet  with  in  the  path  of  our 
duty.     But  this  is  certainly  one  we  are 


156  AN  A5TQN1SRING  AFl-AIR. 

very  likely  to  forget,  or  overlook,  and 
it  should  therefore  be  indelibly  im- 
pressed on  our  minds,  and  deep!}''  en- 
graven upon  our  hearts.  It  should 
never  be  forgotten. 

7.  The  subject  has  furnished  an  oc- 
casion for  the  trial  of  christian  char- 
acter. It  is  easy  to  have  faith^  as  far 
as  we  can  see,  and  when  there  are  no 
obstacles  to  be  overcome  ;  but  it  is  an- 
other thing  to  have  that  faitli  which  is  / 
the  substance  of  tilings  hoped  for,  and ' 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen  ;  and 
to  exercise  it,  even  to  our  comfort  and 
rejoicing,  in  the  fiery  furnace,  and  in 
the  lion's  den.  Here  we  ha  2  a  better 
opportunity  to  know  whether  we  have 
any  faith  or  not. 

It  is  easy  to  have  hope,  in  lively  exer- 
cise, when  prospects  open  with  in- 
creasing brightness,  and  charm  on  ev- 
ery hand  ;  but  it  is  another  thing  to 
do  it  when  we  are  in  the  deep  waters 
of  affliction,  and  the  storm  bears  down 


AxN   ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  167 

upon  US  from  above.  But  even  then, 
we  should  be  able  to  say,  witii  the 
Psahnist,  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  Oh 
my  soul,  and  why  art  thou  disquieted 
within  me  !  Hope  thou  in  God  ;  for 
I  shall  yet  praise  hira,  who  is  the  health 
of  my  countenance.  We  should  say, 
with  the  apostle,  None  of  these  things 
move  me. 

We  are  sometimes  called,  in  a  spec- 
ial manner,  to  the  exercise  of  chris- 
tian endurance  ;  and  wc  must  endure 
with  christian  mildness,  gentleness,  pa- 
tience, meekness,  forbearance  and  long 
suffering.  At  such  a  time,  we  hare  a 
better  opportunity  to  know  what  man- 
ner of  spirit  we  are  of,  and  where  our 
treasure  is,  and  where  our  hearts  are, 
and  whence  we  derive  our  consolation. 
All  this  may  appear  easy,  when  there 
is  nothing  to  endure  ;  but  it  is  more 
difficult  in  the  time  of  trial.  When 
temptations  and  persecutions  arise,  it 
will  put  us  to  the  test. 

14  > 


iSS         AN  ASTONISHPNG  AFFAIR. 

The  preciousness  and  the  efficacy  of 
prayer,  in  roiling  in  a  tide  of  joy  up- 
on the  bosom,  and  in  affording  support 
and  diffusing  strength  throughout  the 
man,  can  be  realised  only  in  the  time 
of  severe  trial.  It  is  then,  that  we 
find  the  promises  of  God  a  precious 
inheritance,  and  feel  the  adaptation 
of  scripture  to  all  our  necessities.  At 
times,  if  there  is  joy,  it  is  the  joy  of 
grief.  If  there  is  a  calm,  it  is  let  down 
from  on  high, — the  calmness  of  an 
overcoming  faith. 

8.  Our  subject  teaches  us  the  im- 
portance and  propriety  of  the  ques- 
tion asked  by  Nicod^mus  when  the 
Savior  was  reproached.  ^'  Doth  our 
law  ji^lge  anyman  before  it  hear  him 
and  know  what  he  doeth  .^" 

9.  The  occasion  reminds  us  of  ma- 
ny interesting  and  appropriate  passa- 
ges of  scripture,  of  which  the  follow- 
ing claim  a  grs»teful  attention  : — 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  159 

In  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  strong 
confidence  ;  and  his  children  shal] 
have  a  place  of  refuge.  As  thy  days, 
so  shall  thy  strength  be.  My  grace 
is  sufficient  for 'thee.  God  is  faithful, 
who  will  not  suffer  tou  to  be  tempted 
above  that  ye  are  able  ;  but  will  with 
the  temptation,  also  make  a  way  to  es- 
cape, that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it . 
For  unto  you  it  is  given  in  the  behalf 
of  Christ,  not  only  to  believe  on  him, 
but  also  to  suffer  for  his  sake.  Re- 
member them  that  are  in  bonds,  as 
bound  with  them  ;  and  them  which 
suffer  adversity,  as  being  yourselves 
also  in  the  body.  Wherein  I  suffer 
trouble,  as  an  evil  doer,  even  unto 
bonds  ;  but  the  word  of  God  is  not 
bound.  For  what  glory  is  it,  if  when 
ye  be  buffeted  for  your  faults  ye  shall 
take  it  patiently  ;  but  if,  Avhen  ye  do 
well,  and  suffer  for  it,  ye  take  it  pa- 
tiently, that  is  acceptable  with  God. 
Even  hereunto   were   ye   called  ;  be- 


160  AN  ASTO?^ISHmG  AFFAIR. 

eau)ge  Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leav- 
ing us  an  example,  that  ye  ishould  fol- 
low his  steps.  Who  did  no  sin,  neith- 
er was  guile  found  in  his  mouth.  Who, 
when  he  was  reviled,  reviled  not 
again  ;  when  he  suffered,  he  threaten- 
ed not  ;  but  committed  himself  to  him 
that  judgeth  righteously.  If  ye  suffer 
for  righteousness'  sake,  happy  are  ye  ; 
and  be  not  afraid  of  their  terror, 
neither  be  troubled.  For  it  is  better, 
if  the  will  of  God  be  so,  that  ye  suffer 
for  well  doing,  than  for  evil  doing. 
But  let  none  of  you  suffer  as  a  mur- 
derer, or  as  a  thief,  or  as  an  evil  doir, 
or  as  a  busy-body  in  oiher  men's  mat- 
ters. Yet  if  any  man  suffer  as  a  chris- 
tian, let  him  not  be  ashamed  ;  but  let 
him  glorify  God  on  this  behalf. 
Wherefore,  let  them  that  suffer  accord- 
ing to  the  will  of  God,  -commit  the 
keeping  of  their  souls  to  him  in  well 
doing,  as  unto  a  faithful  Creator. 
Ft»ar  none  of  tliesc  things  which  thou 


AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR.  161 

shalt  suffer.  Behold,  the  devil  shall 
cast  some  of  you  into  prison,  that  ye 
may  be  tried  ;  and  ye  shall  have  trib- 
ulation :  be  thou  faithful  unto  death, 
and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life. 
Blessed  are  they  which  are  persecuted 
for  righteousness'  sake  :  for  theirs  is 
the  kingdom  of  heavexi.  Blessed  are 
ye,  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and 
persecute  you,  and  shall  say  all  man- 
ner of  evil  against  you  f;alsely,  for  my 
sake.  Rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad ; 
for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven  : 
for  so  persecuted  they  the  prophets 
which  were  before  you.  All  things 
shall  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  God.  I  had  fainted,  unless 
I  had  believed  to  see  the  goodness  of 
the  Lord  in  ftie  land  of  the  living. 
Wait  on  the  Lord  :  be  of  good  cour- 
age, he  shall  strengthen  thy  heart: 
wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord. 

Finally,  let  us  say,  from  the  heart, 
0   Lord  God,  let  us  not  h%    in   haste 
14» 


16j8  AN  ASTONISHINa  AFFAIR. 

at  any  time  to  escape  from  the  furnace 
of  affliction,  till  we  are  sufficiently 
tried — till  all  thy  infinitely  wise  and 
benevolent  purposes  concerning  the 
affliction  are  answered,  as  it  respects 
thy  cause  and  thy  glory.  Make  us 
ever  more  anxious  to  improve  in  the 
furnace  of  affliction  than  to  escape 
from  it  ;  and  more  anxious  for  thy 
glory  and  the  prosperity  of  3ion,  thaa 
for  our  own  reputation. 


APT  EXTRACT  OF  ANCIENT  HISTORY 
FROM  THE  BOOK  OF  ESTHER. 

Now  in  Shushan  the   palace,  there 

was   a  certain  Jew  whose  name  was 

Mordecai,  and  who  sat  ;n  the   king's 

gate.     In  those  days,  while  Mordecai 

sat  in  the  king's  gate,  two  of  the  king'5 

chamberlains  were   wroth  and  sought 

to  lay  hands  on  the  king,   Ahasuerus- 

And  the  thing  was  known  to  Mordecai, 

who  told  it  unto  Esther,  the  queen  ; 


AN  ASTO.NiSHlNG  AFFAIR.  ICS 

and  Esther  certified  the  king  thereof, 
in  Mordecai's  name. 

After  these  things,  the  king  promo- 
ted Haman  and  set  him  above  all  the 
princes*  that  were  with  him.  And 
when  Haman  saw  that  Mordecai  bow- 
ed not  rid^  did  him  reverence,  then 
was  Haman  full  of  wrath  ;  w^herefore 
he  sought  to  destroy  all  the  Jews  that 
weife  throughout  the  whole  kingdom, 
even  the  people  of  Mordecai.  And 
Haman  said  unto  the  king,  There  is  a 
certain  people  scattered  abroad  and 
dispersed  among  the  people,  in  all  the 
provinces  of  this  kingdom  ;  and  their 
laws  are  diverse  from  all  people,  nei- 
ther keep  they  the  king's  laws  ;  there- 
fore it  is  not  for  the  king's  profit  to 
suffer  them.  If  it  please  the  king, 
let  it  be  written  that  they  may  be  de- 
stroyed. And  letters  were  sent  by  posl 
unto  all  the  king's  provinces,  to  de- 
stroy, to  kill,  and  to  cause  to  perish,, 
all  Jews  both  young   and  old,  little 


Uj4     .     AN  ASTONISHING  AFFAIR. 

cliiUlren  and  women,  in  one^day  ;  and 
in  every  province  whithersoever  the 
king's  commandment  and  his  decree 
came,  there  was  great  mourning  among 
the  Jews,  and  fasting,  and  wieeping, 
and  wailing,  and  many  lay  in  sack- 
cloth and  ashes. 

Bat  it  was  found  written  in  the  book 
of  records,  that  Mordecai  had  told  of 
the  kino^'s  chamberlains  who  sought  tr 
lay  hands  on  the  king  ;  and  he  said 
what  Iionor  hath  been  done  to^Mordc 
cai  for  this  ?  Then  said  tl\e  king's  ser- 
vant, there  is  nothing  done  for  him. 
And  tl\p  king  said.  Who  is  in  the  court  : 
(Now  Haman  w\as  come  into  the  outer 
court  of  the  king's  house  to  speak  unto 
the  king  to  hang  Mordecai  on  the'  gal- 
lows thathe  had  prepared  for  him.)  And 
the  king's  servant  said  unto  him,  Be- 
held, Haman  standeth  in  the  court  ; 
and  the  king  said,  let  him  come  in. 
So  Haman  came  in.  And  the  king 
said   unto   him,    What  shall  be   done 


AN  ASTONIS«HING  ArFAIR>  16* 

unto  the  man  whom  the  king  delightefh 
to  honor  ;  (Now  Haman  thought  ia 
his  heart,  To  whoih  would  the  king 
delight  to  do  honor,  more  than  to  my- 
self ;)  And  Haman  answered  the  king, 
For  the  man  whom  the  king  delight- 
eth  to  honor,  Let  the  royal  apparel  be 
brought,  which  the  king  useth  to 
wear,  and  the  horse  that  the  king  ri- 
detk  upon,  and  the  crown  royal  which 
Is  set  upon  his  head.  And  let  this  ap- 
parel and  horse  be  delivered  to  the 
fiand  of  one  of  the  king's  most  _  noble 
»  princes,  that  they  may  array  the  man 
with  all  whom  the  king  delighteth  to 
honor,  and  bring  him  on  horseback 
through  the  streets  of  the  city,  and 
proclaim  before  him,  Thus  shall  it  be 
done  to  the  man  whom  the  king  de-. 
lighteth  to  honor.  Then  the  king 
said  to  Haman,  Make  haste,  and  take 
the  apparel  and  the  horse  as  thou  hast 
said,  and  do  even  so  to  Mordecai,  the 
Jew,  that  sitteth  at  the  king's  gate  ;  let 


166  AN  ASTOiNISHING  AFFAIR. 

nothing  fail  of  all  that  thou  hast  spokeu. 
— Then  took  Human  the  apparel  and 
the  horse,  and  arrayed  Mordecai,  and 
brought  him  on  horseback  through 
the  street  of  the  city,  and  proclaimed 
before  him,  Thus  shall  it  be  done  unto 
the  man  whom  the  king  delighteth  to 
honor.  And"  Mordecai  came  asrain  to 
the  king's  gate  ;  but  Haman  hasted  to 
his  house  mournino-,  and  having  'his 
head  covered.  And  one  of  the  cham- 
berlains said  before  the  king.  Behold 
the  gallows  fifty  cubits  high,  wliicli 
Haman  made  for  Mordecai,  who  had 
spoken  good  for  the  king.  Then  the 
king  said.  Hang  him'thereon.  So  they 
hanged  Haman  on  the  gallows,  that  he 
had  prepared  for  Mordecai.  And  they 
also  hanged  Haman's  ten  sons.  And 
Mordecai  went  out  from  the  presence 
of  the  king,  in  royal  apparel  of  blue 
and  white,  and  with  a^great  crown  o^ 
gold,  and  v/ith  a  garment  of  fine  linen 
and  pur}>le,  and  the  city  of  Shushan 


AN  ASTONISHma  AFFAIR.  167 

rejoiced  and  Avas  glad.  The  Jews  had 
light,  and  gladness,  and  joy,  and  hon- 
or. And  in  every  province,,  and  in 
every  city,  whithersoever  the  king's 
commandment  and  his  decree  came, 
the  Jews  had  joy  and  gladness,  a  feast 
and  a  good  day.  And  many  of  the 
people  of  the  land  became  Jews  ;  for 
the  fear  of  the  Jews  fell  upon  them. 

Mordecai  had  said,  Enlargement  and 
delivcM'ance  shall  arise  to  the  Jews. 


HYMN. 

Light  shining  ov.t  of  darkness. 

1  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 
His  wonders  to  perform  ; 

He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  ae.i, 
And  rides  upon  the  storm. 

2  Deep  in  unfcthoAable  mines 
Of  never-failing  skill, 

He  treasures  up  his  brijjht  dasigns. 
And  works  his  sovereign  wiU. 

3  Ye  fearful  saints,  fresh  courage  twkc  ; 
Th«  cloudfi  yo  »o  much  dread, 


108         AJi  ASTONISHINS  AFFAIR. 

Are  big  with  mercy,  and  shall  break 
With  blessings  on  your  head. 

4  Judge  not  the  Lord  by  feekU  »eni«, 
But  trust  him  for  his  grace  ; 
Behind  a  frowning  providence 

He  hides  his  smiling  face. 

5  His  purposes  will  rip«n'fast, 
Unfolding  every  hour  ; 

The  bud  may  have  a  bitter  ta»t«. 
But  sweet  will  be  tke  flower. 

e  Bli»d  unbelief  is  sure  to  err, 
And  scan  his  work  in  vain  ; 
God  is  his  own  interpreter. 
And  ho  will  make  it  plain. 

•  OWPBR. 


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